With a name as unique and interesting as Sapthamashree Thaskaraha, one expects a a uniqueness in the treatment, if not in the story and in that Anil Radhakrishnan Menon doesn't disappoint.
Be it Ocean's Eleven to the forthcoming Happy New Year, Hollywood or Bollywood, everyone associates a heist movie with stylish shots, suave protagonists, cool gadgets and futuristic security systems. In the midst of all that gloss comes this very naadan, Malayalee, down to earth thaskara katha (heist tale). From the small time temple bhandaram thieves, blueprints which are more brown and not a CAD/CAM version, a hospital and circus that we have seen in our cities (unlike what Dhoom 3 would like us to believe) to referring to dates as per Malayalam months, this movie has a Kairaleeyam feel to it. Even the gadget geek is so real that you know you have called him home to repair your motherboard once or twice :). Add to this the natural performances from the non mainstream guys that actually bring a smile to your face its definitely not a bad movie at all.
Coming to the movie, the first half is interesting, but the shift from the comic to pathos is a little uneven. So much so that you keep wondering if its a lighthearted movie or a serious one. Both Nedumudi's and Prithviraj's flashbacks are kind of predictable and boring, yet they expect to move you, which they don't. And then the overuse of the much loved Thrissur accent. I loved the way the city is captured, but haven't we already saturated the potential of this sing-song lovely accent of ours? At least a few characters could have been left out from it! The second half, with all the preparation and planning is fun and the music adds to the thrill. But even if you ignore the feeling of "isn't that from xyz movie?", there are so many loopholes and the plan looks so convenient that you are not completely convinced. And the sad part is that these loopholes could have been easily fixed with a quick review of the script. Unfortunately, someone decided to be lazy in giving those finishing touches. Prithviraj needs to be appreciated for being the producer and still giving the limelight to the other actors. Of the sapthamashrees Chemban Vinod, Neeraj Madhav and Sudheer Karamana steal the show while the known faces like Nedumudi Venu, Asif Ali and Prithviraj do nothing special.The music suits the pace and the rock feel contrasts the backdrop very well. The camera captures Thrissur beautifully. Its the script that fails them all.
In the end Sapthamashree Thaskaraha has a novelty which is reflected in its name. While heist movies are by rule suave and stylish, here's one that's so Malayalee-garized and naadan that it brings a smile. Unfortunately, the novelty lasts only for a few minutes, and the script with its "oh so convenient" a heist, the overused Thrissur accent and the expected "twist" lets it down.
