Kutty Srank: The Sailor of Hearts

Kutty Srank in the truest spirit of the word was 'a novel' experience for me. It is a layered master-piece, and put forwards a non-linear narrative style very rarely (if not never before) used in world cinema.

Film is structurally divided into four different setting, three of which is set in north, mid and south Kerala respectively and the fourth one is a hyper-link section set in a Police station, where the dead body of Kutty Srank is kept for identification. Three different women (Revamma, Pemenna and Kali) come forward claiming the body and each protagonist has a different story to tell.

The real genius in this film is in creating a false illusion that there is both a spatial and temporal link between these three stories, but later deconstructing this argument by specifically placed non-plausible circumstances. In short, though each of the stories is thematically linked, there is enough clues to believe that they stand separate in time and continuity.

There is a scene in the movie when a Feudal landlord Unnithan (played by Sai Kumar) converges very quickly on the literal interpretation that Kali is route cause of the evils that has befallen in his land. This scene was revelatory to me and summarizes one of the basic premise the film discusses, stories of classic human weakness of finding patterns (and meaning) from loosely correlated sources , especially if it is a one which fits the narrative adhering to his/her personal believes. Something that is quite relevant in current times, when we are bombarded with information (and information providers can manipulate the popular narrative according to their whims and fancy due to people's low attention span).

What was more impressive (personally for me), was that the scene was quite self-revelatory. During my first viewing of the movie, being a 21st century netizen corrupted by information overload, I was busy making associations and correlations with my prior template notions (Roshomon, Marquez, need of fourth female character etc. to name a few). It was a subtle nudge and reminder that I am not far removed to Unnithan character, and share instances where there is dirth of honest direct perspective and understanding, and associative template-based thinking takes precedence.

The movie for me still remains a labyrinth, and required multiple viewing from my part to have a decent grasp of the proceedings, with each session bringing in something new. That said, locally (i.e per scene and theme) the movie is easy to watch and comprehend. Narration is straight forward and non-convoluted. However, it is when you sit back and try to connect the dots, the real potential and energy in this film explodes! Peripherally, there are only a few instances (or interfaces) when there is a conflict with our conventional notions with what is presented in the screen (for example, Kali denying it is the body of Srank, Srank's bodily appearance etc. ). A challenge is put forward, to use these leads and work backwards to unlock the underlying story within the movie, and thereby making the process of movie watching highly interactive and rewarding!

It was a good movie.It was almost a masala-award movie.It had quite a few of the ingredients that makes you feel you have seen some content.It has some ethnic drama scenes , chavittu natakam , beautiful melodious novel/periodic music.The main character moves from one area to another area conveniently presenting the film-maker the chance to present various sceneries/life styles/dialects etc.

Mammooty was present in the movie all along beefing up the scenes with his glamor presence.Movie was a good one.There were striking beautiful sceneries from Kerala nature.Screen cuts were amazing snapshots worthy of an exhibition in itself and this was not the stylish scenery that 'Raavana' presented but more of nature where the stress is on the scenery and not on the filming equipment.

Music is a high point in the movie.Melodious with beautiful rustic touch.Actors have also done a good job.Costumes/makeup have a drama touch to it.

A good watch. As good as some of the other award movies like 'Oru pennum randaanum' , 'naalu pennungal' etc but cannot compare with 'Elippaththaayam' , 'Thambu' etc.

Mind is on art as well as on the market here - no complaints.Hence the viewing is pleasant and not dry reality that totally art-centric award movies present.But at the end of the movie, you are not left with much.You just watched a movie you liked.

Kuttisrank shows its quality and difference in feel from shot 1 itself. Very different approach from Shaji.N.Karun. The film which lasted 2.10 hours was one of the finest i have watched in recent times, not as a mammootty fan, but as a true film lover. I would have loved a palerimanikyam style narration of the story, while this ones a little complicated , but it adds beauty to the masterpiece. The main positive of the movie is its casting. I was wowing a lot watching ikkas acting. Even though he ain't much different in the three stories physically, He is totally refreshing in each story though his mannerisms and dialog delivery. A special mention must be made for his chavittunadakam play, where we see a perfect play of how an actor differentiates between a film acting and an art form. I loved it!! Kuttisrank doesn't reveal more, no clue of his religion, as he is seen in Muslim, Christian and hindu surroundings, and that exactly what the directed aimed. Sureshkrishna delivered his best till date performance , he just rocked. The mammootty - suresh krishna combo scenes made the 2nd story the best part of the movie. Among the actresses, Kamalini Mukherji was really superb. She was looking good, and had a great charm acting perfectly done. Padmapriya was good, and Meenakumari was OK.

The camera and choreography gets a hats off again, as they have done their characters really well.

Overall, Its a must watch movie for true movie lovers, whatever the fate of the movie is.

Rating :9/10

I saw this movie because it has won a National Award. So I had high expectations from this movie. But it turned out to be a big disappointment. It is one of those star vehicles that is made just to showcase the talent of star with any stress on overall film.

Mammootty is a boat captain who lives three lives and lives with three different women. At all three places he maintains a different look and accent. Thats it. There is no conflict. The plot is just a pretext for Mammootty to show his acting talents, acting as three slightly different persons with different accents. This is not my cup of tea. Yes, I have seen many movies that are acting oriented but they have a credible plot. This one doesn't. After each woman tells her story, the movie ends.

By the way, Kamalinee Mukherjee as Pemanna did a good job and she was the reason why I didn't stopped watching this movie sooner.

OK, once upon a time there was Kutty srank. He spoke three dialects, influenced three women's life. But then? I have no idea what happened. There is nothing explained in the movie.

Hope at least Shaji N Karun knows what he wanted to convey. I was a big fan of many of his previous movies. But this was a real disaster.

I liked acting of Kamalinee Mukherjee, Suresh Krishna and Amit (Joppen). The part of the movie in which these three characters appear was interesting.

In my opinion mammooty was horrible in many scenes. It was like mammotty wearing an over-sized shirt. All the three mannerisms of Kutty Srank did not suite Mammootty. It was a terribly wrong casting.

I would strongly advice not to waste your time and money on this movie.