Kammara Sambhavam

Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback , Premnazirine Kaananilla, Udayanaanu Thaaram - some well remembered Malayalam flicks with the 'cinema-within-cinema' theme - Kammara Sambhavam maintains the premise and yet comes as a genre breaking revelation. Probably a first of its kind attempted ever, Kammara Sambhavam is a satirical gem of a film which brings with it a notion that has been loathed by many, but praised by few. Catching your attention with the most eccentric way of presentation, with the true story reeling out on the first half and the blockbuster version towards the second half, it's a good exemplar of deviating amusingly from the conventional way of storytelling. Kammara Sambhavam is all about a group of liquor barons set out to boost the long incumbent party ILP by rebranding their supposed to be founder Kammaran as an illustrious hero. To this end, they approach a film maker who in turn gets to Kammaran for the entire story. In spite of what instead comes from Kammaran as a confession-of-sorts retelling of the actual events that transpired, the movie made subsequently rewrites the history in a most audacious way. Murali Gopi the writer has come out all guns ablaze after the magnificent left right left this time - basing the chain of events on Napoleon Bonaparte's famous quote - "History is the version of past events that people have decided to agree upon". As is anticipated from a political satire like this, frequent jabs at the left and right coalition parties and a brilliant crossover of pop culture, black comedy and period cinema is amalgamated in this engaging spoof. All the actors who played actual roles in first half re-emerge as themselves aka actors who play the twisted up and concocted ballad of Kammaran in the second half , adding to the overall novelty of the proceedings. Apart from Ratish Ambat who has delivered a technically well made period flick with flawlessly captured historical settings with its INA-Subhash Chandra Bose-Japan premise, it is the terrific on screen presence of Janapriya Nayakan Dileep which works for the movie. Tailor made for the role as the cunning, two-timing Kammaran, Dileep performs majestically from the pre-independent era quack doctor to the present days scheming oldie transitioning with ease and manipulating everyone along the way. While being far more imaginative and with fresh content than any of the new gen ultra realistic type flick of late, it's rather unfair that this movie was frequently panned by the critics and seldom praised for its Genuineness - maybe the lead actors personal issues and recent cases affecting the public outlook pessimistically.

A well made movie with equal amount of realism and satire. The story and screenplay were different and it was well executed by the director. Technically the movie is brilliant in all the departments and the casting was perfect.

"Why didn't this movie become a phenomenal hit?"

This was the first question that came to my mind after watching the movie. A never before tried concept, a pure novelty with an amazing cast yielded an immersive experience. Truly, I was into it the whole time. The movie portrays how media and politics come together to rewrite history for their own benefits. It's definitely a must watch!

Very interesting...Kammaran is a traitor who got away each time...this also shows how movie makers glorify the traitors and make them look like 'heroes'. A very good take on the actual events vs whitewashed story.

Dileep and Siddharth were fantastic.

Kammara Sambhavam, a concept that will be loathed by many, a effort that will be praised by few. This is how experiments should be brought on. A prime example of how to deviate from the usual, conventional way of presenting a plot so rich and full of opportunities, in the most genre-breaking way ever. Truly a eccentric presentation, filled with some drawbacks that hinder the 'entertainment' a bit.

Rathish Ambat's slick frames looks nothing like you would expect from a debutant. Fitting Music, an engrossing BGM and a terrific on screen presence from Dileep make this a entertaining watch throughout, no holds barred. Dileep performs majestically. From the trademark Dileep of cheap, slapstick comedy flicks, he sure has made a grand comeback. Both as an actor and as a person. From the scrawny, twisted mind of the young Kammaran to a old, decaying Kammaran, Dileep sure keeps the audience glued to the screen.

Namitha Pramod, Murali Gopi (also as the man behind the script), Shewtha Menon and almost every single cast performed just as they should've. Special mention to Sidharth, who just brings the required class to the movie. The second half (satirical part) brings the actor to his complete potential.

Murali Gopi has just scripted his best after Left Right Left. From a disaster Tiyaan, he has finally written something that doesn't make him feel like a person who just symbolizes the crap out of everything.

Kammara Sambhavam was touted as a, well mostly as a Epic historical movie. It's far from that. Think of the film as a uneven mix between a rigorous tale of betrayal and a really good satirical, comedy ride.

The first half is the epitome of exemplar filmmaking. After the 2009 historical outing Pazhassi Raja, it is surprising that no major historic epics were greenlit in mollywood. Kammara Sambhavam may not be a epic in proportions, but it is sure a epic in terms of the achievement in making a plot so experimental, a vibrant success.

The second half streches, a bit. But enough to maintain the attitude the film has amassed from the first. With moments that test you to moments that comply with events of real life, the film just couldn't hit the spot they so badly wanted.

This is how a vision, a risk should be brought on screen. And a big 'Yes' from me.