"Manmohana" by Jitesh Lakhwani from animated 'Little Krishna'

Very well animated and sung by Jitesh Lakhwani. One can find it from below link. Looking forward to a malayalam and sanskrit versions of this movie. The animation movies have come a long way in India.

'Little Krishna' episodes and movies of same nature are fun filled experience for kids and grown-ups alike.


http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=6J7x3Wdeb10

Usthad Hotel(2012)

Rating 3.95/5
Malayalam

"Usthad Hotel" is amongst  my top 3 malayalam movies of 2012. It scores a notch better than "Run Baby Run"(2012).  It's a  story that encourages the youth to succeed by identifying their innate competencies [cooking in this case]. This film also captures the relationship between a grandfather(Tilakan) and grandson(Salman Dulquer) in unique way.  It shows the passage of worldly wisdom from older generation to younger one in this modern society. Though generations pass-by the success mantras have not changed; in new form the old techniques are still useful. This is knowledge wasnt understood well by first generation, but was captured well with hands-on practice by new generation. The films also carries several important social messages including work for betterment of socially destitute.

Tilakan's(late) presence is the unquestionable cornerstone of success in this film. Acting in one of his last movies before he died in late 2012. The mannerisms of small hotel owner and expressions of  in depth worldly wisdom gained over years of experience in cooking is well captured.
The newcomer Salman Dulquer, plays a good role. He's promising young actor but would have to add more acting skills else would quickly be dubbed as repeater. The character  inspite of being a Swiss trained chef needed to work tirelessly at grassroots amongst poorest in India. Salman was seen working hard towards it, much to the liking of audience :-)
Overall good music (expect one song) and a Kozhikode muslim community flavour to it, making this one of the best Malayalam films of 2012.
 

Run Baby Run(2012)

Rating 3.9/5
Malayalam

"Run Baby Run" is amongst my top 3 Malayalam movies in 2012. With an excellent plot in hand, this movie keeps developing it at a fast pace as the story moves on, providing a near thriller experience to the viewer. Good film direction and acting by both lead roles viz. Mohanlal and Amala Paul. This film depicts the sensational journalism of todays TV news media and the cut throat competition amongst field reporters. The greed for money and fame causes the resporters and associated professionals to double-cross each other to the extent of falling into traps of vested black characters whom they were originally reporting on.

Otta Nanayam(2005)

Otta Nanayam(2005)
means 'just one coin please' in Malayalam.

rating 6/10

Overall a good film with occasional good acting by Malayalam film actor Priyamani and Salim.
The new comer hero was also good.
The film is a poor person from lower middle class family who was forced to join a colony of beggars near railway station. The money was for liver operation of his ailing mother. This is where Priyamani lives a life of beggar with destitue kids. The film depicts the organised begging racket in cities, exploitation by anti-social elements and sad life of the people who are initially forced into this profession and dont get a chance to better life.

The film was very predictable though. Important twists in story was shown very lightly and without importance.

Harisree Ashokan and Salim in side roles, show their sheer talent whenever they appear. Overall 6/10 rating for this.

Lohithadas has passed away

Its a very sad day for the Kerala art and cinema.

One of the most talented writer director of modern times from Kerala, Lohithadas as died due to cardiac arrest at age of 54.

http://www.expressbuzz.com/edition/story.aspx?Title=Malayalam+writer-director+Lohithadas+dead&artid=cwLznMauJ7A=&SectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&MainSectionID=1ZkF/jmWuSA=&SEO=A.K.+Lohithadas&SectionName=X7s7i|xOZ5Y=

He was known for capturing the problems of common man and family relation ships very delicately in Malayalam films.

Every Malayalaee from far and wide in world would have seen his creations in
"Bharatham",
"Thoovalkottaram"
"His Highness Abdullah"
"Karunyam"
"Kasthoorimann"
"Kanmadam"
"Veendum Chila Veetu Karyangal"

and many many more...

He was actively involved in directing more forthcoming films. 2 days back I saw karunyam and was so fascinated by the talent of a writer-director has brought out this film. He was one of the best.

Poverty, debt and helplessness leads man through strange situations. It makes him commit crime, which must be avoided at all costs, thats the message LohithaDas always wanted to bring in films.
One needs to be firm in his social behaviour and respect elders, thats also a message.

There isnt another person his him. This is an end of glorious phase of Malayalam films and great movies.

But life moves on, youngsters impressed by his films will take the baton forward.

Karunyam(1997)

Pranaam

Karunyam(1997)
Murali, Jayaram, Divya unni, NeduMudi Venu
9/10

Yesterday I had the luck to see the Malayalam timeless classic film 'Karunyam'.
It's a stirring film about the sacrifices of an Indian father as the senior most person of the family. While living he does his best to make ends meet. He converted even his death a solution for his son's unemployment. His life's caricature is sometimes a true reflection of an average middle classed Indian, upon which lies the burden of entire family.

Played by Murali as the lead role in film, this is perhaps the best performance a watcher could see.

This film is written and directed by Lohitha Das. I know he has directed "Veendum chila veetukaryangal" too , which is on similar lines. He commends great respect in portraying the father-son relationship and problems in a family and the viewer gets to appreciate the sacrifices made by elders. At sametime there are lessons for the youth to shun ego and selfishness and to earn a living through hardwork. As story moves there are situations that happens in everyone's lives.

Excellent story and film. Great one by Murali.

PonmuttaidunnaTharavu(1988)

PonmuttaidunnaTharavu - Srinivas, Jayaram, Urvashi

(1988)

"Thattaan Thatti"

Superb film with a good moral that depicts how honesty and hardwork defeats cheaters in long run.
The characters belong to a village where people from different walks of life and faith live harmoniously and share the problems of their lives with each other. Srinivasan is my all-time favourite and deserves an applause for his acting in "PonmuttaidunnaTharavu".
Uruvashi, Jayram, Innocent, OduvilUnnikrishnan & others make this film an evergreen one, it will stand the test of time.

1 good song too.

7/10

Kathaparayumbol(2007)

Pranam

Kathaparayumbol
(2007)
Srinivasan, Mammooty, Meena
my rating 7/10

I liked this malayalam film very much, its a masterpiece of this decade. Sreenivasan is nothing short of a genius. Excellent screen play, script and a great story, till the end its a free flow.
Sreenivasan played the role of a hardworking and financially poor barber, who is trying make his ends meet. This simple person turns out to be a real life hero, much to surprise of the villagers who had earlier made fun of him. The speech given by Mammooty at the school annual function is one of its kind and very impressive.

Sreenivasan has the knack of bringing out subtle human feelings to the fore and every film has a moral in real life. His films are sometimes true reflections of a common man and its very effective.
I value 'Kathaparayumbol' much more than any Oscar award winning film. Got a good taste of Malayalam by watching this. Unsure how billoo barber, a copy of this film in Urdu would be, but nothing beats Srinivasan.

Baba Kalyani(2006)

Baba Kalyani (2006)
rating 4.8/10

The film is about police officer Baba Kalyani sabotaging a jihadi attack on shrine of Palani. The misguided youth who wanted to revenge the Babri Masjid demolition, collaberate with Paki terrorists and plan to set ablaze the shrine and to kill lakhs of pilgrims, but just before dawn of d-day, Baba Kalyani traces and kills them. It didnt happen in real life, when groups like Indian Mujahideen kills thousands of indians in similar fashion

It's a fair film. A good example of how Mohanlal can turn around an ordinary film. I liked all the characters. The screen prescense of Mohanlal is powerful and dialogue delivery has some conviction. But felt like sleeping for 1 hr, until Kavayoor Ponnamma entered and there was some story development. All the important dialogues are emphasized with English words, its more of a film in english language than Malayalam.