There is definitely novelty in Jean Markose's satirical drama Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri that narrates the story of a police constable named Kuttanpilla (Suraj Venjaramoodu) who is currently in dire straits with his family members, most notably one of his sons-in-law who wants to fell a jackfruit tree so that he can complete building his house. The problem is that Kuttanpilla won't allow it. With some neatly done sequences of familial discord, Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri inches forward with a story that absorbs another arc into its narrative. That of a bunch of ghosts 'living' around Kuttanpilla's house is somehow connected with his own fate and that he has some hints about it is what further makes Markose's writing fresh. I am surprised at the use of creativity in not just how the proceedings are shot but also the comical songs that support the narrative to turn it into a breezy little film you can catch with your family members. I could actually relate with these some of these characters who go about living off someone else's wealth because that's like the story of my extended life in Kerala. It took me back to the heated discussions that I always have when I go back during vacation. Apart from the mess that it turns into in the second half with non-fictional borrowings from real life incidents, Kuttanpillayude Sivarathri is an honest film made with vigor and creativity. I will be looking forward to Markose's future films. TN.
