Mattoru Seetha

Seventies was an era of unemployment crisis was so palpable and corruption and favors of politicians rules in job interviews. All those hopeless lost generation of jobless educated youth took solace as socialist rebel. They just smoke, do whatever is available and kill their time.

Written & Directed by P.Bhaskaran, the film portrays the life of Seeta (Shobhana), a teenage girl, lives with her mother and elder sister (Sheela) who runs the house with her harikatha performances. Seeta falls in love with Chandram (Vincent), but evil Gopalakrishna (Kamal Hassan) has an eye on her and hires goons to bash Chandram, who dies on the spot. Seeta marries Madhava Rao (Adoor Bhasi), father of Gopalakrishna, and makes Gopalakrishna realize his mistakes.Some of the dialogues penned by none other than Shreekumaran Thambi are really so ironic and striking one to the scenes depicting reality. The film is woven with satirical humor and captures delicately the everyday reality of that era. Watch fake lunch scene full of overacting. Wow what a contrast!!! These are just few examples, there are many such brilliant sarcasm running throughout the film.

Where most of the Directors often highlighted either the melodrama or light comedy while dealing with such a subject, P.Bhaskaran had kept the spirit of both of them alive in right proportions and that's make the film a fine sensible and sensitive watch. Perhaps he would have made some more such films in Malayalam!!! Kamal Hasan has done a few films in Malayalam and this one is hardly remembered by anyone but as a jobless struggler poet and hater of hypocrisy, he once again gave his well nuanced performance here. Perhaps a few people of today's generation know about the actor Paul Venghola who almost did the negative roles of street gambler, drunkard in so many films. Watch him here in one of his fine act of good for nothing scornful father and I bet any other actor can do justice to it. Actress Shobhana ruled in 70's B graders revenge flicks but here she too is so natural and average. The only unfortunate parts of the film are its last half an hour which is quite stereotype and dragging one and the other is music. V.Dhakshinamurthy failed to score the magic of memorable melodies he composed in P.bhaskaran's blockbuster hit 'Chumaduthanghi'. Recommended to all sensible cinelovers.