Rani Padmini

With his recent film 'Gangster' featuring Mammootty being heavily criticized by both audience and critics for its lack of good script and inability to engage the viewers, Aashiq Abu really needed to make it to the top. After a long gap, he has finally presented us 'Rani Padmini' with his wife Rima Kallingal as Rani and Manju Warrier as Padmini.

Padmini is a typical good and well-mannered malayali women who goes to Delhi with her husband (Jinu Joseph) after their marriage. One day her husband leaves her and after not hearing from him for days, she comes to know that he has signed a mutual divorce petition application. It hurts her really bad. She decides to go to Himachal Pradesh all by herself to meet her husband who is participating in Himalayan Car Rally. During her journey she meets Rani, who is more bold, daring and extrovert in nature compared to Padmini. Both soon becomes friends and Rani assists Padmini to guide her to Himalayas. The adventures they face and the blissful, paradisiac beauty of the cold mountains, moon-lit night sky which mesmerizes them on their path to Padmini's husband, which also makes them closer to each other, are the highlights of the movie.

The pre-interval portion of the movie is just 50 minutes. Post- interval session is about 1 hour and 40 minutes. The reason for this might be the makers didn't want to interrupt the flow of the movie once Rani and Padmini embark on their journey which begins after the interval. The title sequence featuring the childhood of Rani and Padmini which also highlights their differences was well made with the song 'Varu Pokaam Parakkaam'. Similarly there were two short films inside the film which were portrayed as stories told by Rani and Padmini to each other.

Performances of Manju Warrier, Rima Kallingal and Jinu Jacob were outstanding. The supporting cast including Sreenath Bhasi, Sajitha Madathil and Soubin Shahir also made their performances noteworthy. The chemistry between Manju and Rima worked out well which led to many funny and good moments in the movie. The fun factor is one important element which helped engage the audience in the long second half of the movie. Sound design and sound mixing was brilliant. Cinematography by Madhu Neelakandan brought the Himalayas to life on screen. It was classy and beyond perfect in capturing the richness of the scenes into every frame. Background score and songs by Bijibal were good and was the key factor mostly in connecting the viewers to the movie. These 3 aspects raises the movie to Hollywood perfection.

Overall, 'Rani Padmini' is a movie that raises the idea that women aren't just meant to be stuck doing household chores, held back by family responsibilities or locked up inside social barricades and should spread her wings and fly out of their comfort zone to explore all the beauty, thrills and happiness that nature has in store.

Not a typical malayalam flick and definitely not everyone's cup of 'tea or coffee or whatever'. An adventure drama movie with an exceptionally good direction from Aashiq Abu. This is definitely a comeback for him and the way he executed this movie in his unique style makes me wait for his next flick. 'Rani Padmini' is a must watch - for those who love 'The Secret Life of Walter Mitty' or that kind of adventure drama flicks - to be experienced from theaters.

There are many factors which make this movie one of my favourites- basically a woman centric movie-nice locations,humour, emotions everything is there in this movie, Reema Kallingal has given full justice to her role...

The film Rani Padmini is a cinematic work belonging to the adventure drama genre, directed by Aashiq Abu.

The narrative chronicles the lives of two young women. One of the protagonists is Rani, who was brought up in an environment of strict control by her parents in an urban setting. Consequently, her behaviour exhibits some divergence from the norm. The second character is Padmini. She was raised in a rural setting under the supervision of her grandparents. Consequently, she has gained a wealth of experience in the local culture. Padmini was married by Giri, whose family had settled in Delhi. Giri was an accomplished motorsport competitor, having amassed numerous accolades in the field of adventure racing. Following her marriage, Padmini's autonomy was curtailed by her mother-in-law. Her mother-in-law forbade her from pursuing any other employment, instead requiring her to assume the role of caretaker for her mother-in-law and grandmother. Nevertheless, Padmini was able to secure employment. Prior to participating in a significant racing event, Giri's mother encouraged him to sign a mutual divorce document. However, Padmini was not informed of this until Giri had departed. She subsequently fled from the house to meet Giri. En route, Padmini encountered Rani, who was also experiencing difficulties. They proceeded together, continuing their journey. During this journey, a number of incidents occurred. Some were humorous, while others were thought-provoking and enjoyable. Ultimately, they were able to locate Giri, who had already realised the error of his ways.

The film's narrative and direction are satisfactory, and the performances are commendable. The musical scores and visual placements are excellent. However, some scenes seem incongruous and could have been avoided. The film is suitable for single viewing.

The thing with life is that it has got its own flow. You may say that I am not part of it but you will find yourself carried by it.Thrown into ditches, hurled into whirlpools, wet and tired, you will end up in a shore that we all will end up one day. There might be green there or there might be a desert. There might be an empire there or there might be a hut. Who knows what is in store? Either you can curse all the way,

or else you can enjoy the ride. The movie Rani Padmini is a gem which shows us that life has a meaning but it's up to us to find it.What makes us, Us?! What we have to do to be a being. What we have to gain and what me way loss in the process. In a defining sequence, Rani asks a trekker "Why the heck are you trekking?" and he simply says, "who needs a reason to trek?" Who needs a reason to laugh, who needs a reason to cherish each breath that we take in? Who needs a reason to close the eyes and enjoy the wind that caresses our face? Who needs a reason to live?" Every story is just a new wave in the ever flowing current of life and this movie was a very soothing wave. I have an affinity for Ashiq Abu and with each movie, he seems to be getting better. The title song of this movie reminded me of the title song of "Idukki Gold" and that is sure of way saying that the music was soulful.

Another movie with a similar storyline is "The other woman."

http://www.imdb.com/title/tt1855236/

If you liked Rani Padmini, you should watch this one too.

Rani Padmini is for those who would like to step out of their comfort zones and explore a bit.Start exploring people or else you may loose the only person that you would have with you until the end, you! PS-If you liked the review check out my website too www.amitrajyoti.com

Intricately woven plots culminating into a very fine movie. There was never a dull moment with off beat one liners making the audience laugh and go along with the movie. A few instances of lag was felt, but the director ensured that lag broke into an enjoyable twist. Giving more emphasis on the female characters, the director Ashiqu Abu did great justice to the characters. Manju & Rima were vying with each other to bring the best out of them. It was a pleasure to see the vintage Manju Warrier at her best and the versatility of Rima Kallingal. Mention should be made for capturing the scenic north - Manali, Leh & Ladak in it's natural environment. Even though the rally was the focal point of the movie, a little more emphasis and detail could have been given to the rally. Overall an enjoyable movie with family. I would give a 7 out of 10.