Puthan Panam

Puthan Panam is a 2017 Malayalam film written and directed by Ranjith, starring Mammootty in lead role. Mammooty speaks Kasargode dialect in the movie and his dialogues were written by renowned writer P. V. Shajikumar. The movie released during Vishu 2017 and is based on the black money issue.

One could say that writer-director Ranjith has lost his charm because the last time he enjoyed success was in 2012 with the Mohanlal- starrer Spirit. Here, in this comedy crime drama he tries to take a relevant subject and mixes it with clichés.

Nithyananda Shenoy (Mammootty) is a gangster (sort of) who runs a clandestine organized crime unit in and around his native place, Kasargod. Following the demonetization of old INR 500 and INR 1000 notes by the Indian government in November 2016, Shenoy believes that a minister who he had a recent deal with knew about the demonetization beforehand and hence paid the due amount in old notes. In an attempt to teach him a lesson, he travels to the minister's native (Kochi) with his chums and tries to threaten him. How this single episode leads to an extension of Shenoy and his chums' eventful stay in Kochi and the ways in which they try to salvage it forms the crux of the story. Meanwhile, Muthuvel (Swaraj Gramika), a young foxy, streetwise boy gets unknowingly embroiled in this mess.

The film is nothing about black money or new money (whatever you want to call it). Instead, it deals with a handgun which finds its way in places where it shouldn't be (that's basically all places, if you think about it). The topic of demonetization is touched once or twice at the beginning, and that's it, making one wonder how they came up with the title. The second issue with the film is the language used by the characters. It is supposed to be pure Kasargod Malayalam dialect, making it difficult for the general audience to follow most of the dialogues.

Coming to what makes the film watchable: Gramika's performance as this boy who shows real grit in his actions. He is a character that is well-developed, giving the viewers much relief from the clichés. Apart from that, it is the usual high-octane entry sequences, dialogues, and stunts that one sees in such gangster films. Not to talk about their novelty, they just make the film look glamorous when there are better things to focus on. A tinge of humor in some scenes concerning Shenoy surprisingly work for the film.

As always, Mammotty shines as the protagonist. Even though he uses his usual style and glamour (last seen in disastrous The Great Father (2017)) to entertain, it is the peculiar appearance and the Kasargod air that make his character interesting here. Gramika steals the limelight hands down, followed by Baiju and Siddique. Supporting cast act fine.

There is nothing else to talk about here other than the fact that it is not as bad as the audience said when it first came out. There are many more Malayalam films in 2017 that are worse.

BOTTOM LINE: Renjith's "Puthan Panam" is a film that uses a relevant subject to attract its audiences and gives a lecture on a different subject when they finally arrive. The well-constructed plot and marginal suspense save it from being boring. An easily forgettable yet casual film that can be viewed once. Rent a DVD!

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

Summary (no spoilers)

This movie is based on the subject of black money. Nithyananda Shenoy who lives in Kasargode, Kerala struggles to tackle black money.

My Review (no spoilers)

The plot of this movie was a complete disaster with so many unwanted cast members. Mammootty did a good kind of acting as usual but it was all in vain due to the story. I did not except this kind of directing or story by Ranjith and Renjith respectively. There was action in this movie only towards the end about duration of five minutes. Nothing thrilling nor crime was involved in this movie. All the songs in this movie were boring and meaning less except for the BGM. Overall this movie was really a bad experience with a very bad plot.

My Recommendation

No I would not suggest anyone to watch this movie.

My Rating

0/10

The new movie from Ranjith – Mammootty combination, Puthan Panam was announced on November 2016. As per the trailer, the movie seemed like something that had to do with the demonetization that happened on November 8 . I was curious to know how writer director Ranjith managed to create an interesting story in such a short time. My curiosity was answered with a really disappointing cinema that had very less to do with its trailer and title. With only the swagger and slang working in favor of the movie, Puthan Panam looks aimless.

The latest addition to the list of disappointments by Renjith is Puthan Panam. The movie which is titled as The New Indian Rupee doesn't do any justice to the rest of the movie.

The trailer and the 2 teasers can deceive anyone. But let me warn you, It is not worth the money.

The movie starts with Nithyananda Shenoy,played by Mammootty receiving 25cr rupees an hour before the Demonetization was introduced by the PM. He feels cheated and takes the necessary decisions. From there the movie revolves around that topic for half an hour tops. Then the whole story takes a deep dive into another hole, one which has no option of climbing back.

The first half of the movie is the better of the two. Its gives you something to enjoy,but once you enter the latter half there is nothing that the director can offer you.

Overall,The new Kasargod slang, evergreen stylish Mammootty is all the movie offers. As for a conclusion, the characters are many in numbers, but none has any role.