Kurup

For those of you are not familiar, the movie is loosely based on the life of a fugitive from Kerala, Sukumara Kurup.

To be honest, although I have heard of him several times (mostly through Malayalam movie references), I really had no idea who he was or why he became so notorious.

Enter the movie Kurup, threw some light on my ignorance and then more. The real circumstances surrounding Sukumara Kurup and his crimes in itself is so mysterious and curious that any form of portrayal of this story will spike your interest.

Now, coming exclusively the movie, one cannot call it an ultra realistic plot, there is a lot of cinematic liberty used in it. However, in the context that it's presented, it was quite engaging.

Acting wise, Shine Tom did a brilliant job, DQ, Indrajit and Shobita played their parts convincingly. Screenplay wise, the second half was much more fast paced and interesting than the first half. The first half could have benefited from some editing and cuts. Songs were kind of forced and unnecessary.

Overall, it is an interesting watch, and more than the movie itself, the premise, which is the mystery of Sukumara Kurup will haunt you for while after you leave the theatres (or switch off your TV).

Script - 7/10 Direction - 8/10 Acting - 8/10 Cinematography - 9/10 Bgm -10/10

A good entertainer that is a one time watch. Its nothing close to a "masterpiece" or a "cult classic" as the advertisers and the teen kids want you to believe. And its nothing close to a third rate movie as some degraders want you to believe.

As far as the story is concerned its a mix of realilty and fiction. Anyway the overall outline of the story is around 70% real. Do we get to the real Kurup? To some extent, yes we do.

The romantic song is really good. It gets better with each time you listen. The background music is "cult" level. In fact the BGM did a great role in hiding the imperfections in Script and Direction.

The lead lady did a fine job along with Shine Tom Chacko and Indrajith. Dulquer act was the usual, nothing out of box. He still has to go beyond his comfort zone. That doesnt mean he hasnt got his charms. Boy, the guy is extra charming. All I say is he has miles to go ahead in terms of acting.

The pre release over-advertisement of the movie will create many expectations for the audience. So it wouldn't be a surprise if this movie would get mixed reviews.

Overall verdict - A good entertainer for 170rs.

Kurup (2021) : Brief Review -

An ugly story told beautifully. Dulquer conquers everything possible in this gripping tale of mastermind criminal. When it comes to gangster films, I always have one star reduced from the final rating already. These stories may entertain you sometimes they don't even to that, I have that specific hatred (deserving, i believe) for such films. I have bashed many known Hollywood classics for the same reason. Kurup didn't work there for me because the story isn't really important enough to be told. What do you gain by telling such stories? What do you learn from it? Nothing. That's why I have that specific hatred in my mind. On the other side, I love watching films that have motives, that teaches you something. Ustad Hotel was one such Dulquer Film, even Kaarwaan and so many others. Well, Kurup really isn't a bad film, it's a great one. It's just that I don't like to watch the stories led by negative people. Hardly few of them, i mean such films, have impressed me. This one is based on the life of wanted criminal Sukumara Kurup, a classic criminal. True Mastermind. Srinath Rajendran's impeccable direction makes his story look interesting. His skilful methods to handle a simple story have made this one special. The only problem I found was the pacing in the first half. It takes too much time to show the generous side of that character when you already know he is not that kind of person. That's where you even predict the climax which was supposed to be a shock, but does not remain a secret. Dulquer Salmaan is phenomenal as Kurup/GK. That style, attitude and his looks everything is perfect. Rest of the cast is good too. Kurup has very simple dialogues, that hurts because gangster films are known for some dhaansu dialogues. Overall, a very good film and surely recommendable for the performances and direction, if not for story.

RATING - 7/10*

By - #samthebestest_

Movie making is very good Technically very sound. But first half lags big time until the pre-interval ,The neo noir sceenplay didn't help much but rather its confusing to many. Second half is racy , finishes in no time with more commercial appeal to it. Its a good watch on the whole but if the makers have more concentrated in screenplay of first half with little more detailing with case rather than his love interest it would have been a great watch.

Kurup is classy. Kurup is tremendously cinematic rather a true story. Kurup is worth the wait. Kurup is fine with me though I avoid regional movies. Not a documentary style of story telling as some of the fans anticipated. The first half would have been reduced by 25 mins. Second portion is fast paced, well directed and acted by all nicely.

Only one glitch. If you ask me how to pronounce Cheriyanad it will be 'Chernaad' and majority of the locals and family call it "Chernaad" and not Cheriyanad as the writer/director stuck with correct written pronunciation which is not natural. Some sequences in Air Force part is exaggerated and ill conceived.

Also the head of the investigative officers did a tremendous job of trying to nab the real culprit. Then in 1984 till 2005 was a well known figure of the family which the director or the research team is missing or they refused to show it in the film.

There is a scope for a sequel and I call it Alaxander!

So many characters missing. Neither detail about Suresh Kurup who is brother of GK nor the whereabouts of GK's family (wife& kids) after the incident is missing!!

DQ did a tremendous job as a producer and main actor so is Shine who was depicted more of a villain than GK of real story.

Also the murder, investigation and subsequent media frenzy on the family took place when we were just 16. That's almost 38 years ago.

Go and watch it if you missed theatre for two long years👍🏻🙏🏻