1964 can still be considered the early stages in Malayalam films because, till 1960, the total number of Malayalam films that came till then was around 70-80 films. I mentioned that because of how dated this film feels in certain aspects. Many aspects of the direction and acting are definitely way behind for the time but not at all for the industry in particular. Yet, the cinematography, use of the soundscape and music is done extremely well and in such an unexpected way for the time in the Malayalam industry, that I can just attribute the flaws to this being the debut of A. Vincent as a director after a successful career as a cinematographer in various south Indian languages.
It's funny that the choice for the white saree of the ghost in this movie was purely plot-driven (also to make it family-friendly as I heard the ghost was actually nude in the original short story, which even today wouldn't be an easy choice in Indian cinema) and this became a milestone and being the first horror in Malayalam cinema, inspired everything that came after, that whenever a Yakshi, is portrayed it is in white saree now. And even the sad song and the laugh that has just become tropes. And even the term Bhargavi Nilayam has become such a concrete term for the Malayalam psyche as the synonym for a haunted house.
It was also surprising to see that this was where Kuthiravattom Pappu got his name from the comic relief character he played in this movie. I remember him from all his roles from the 80s and 90s that I would've never thought I'd see him here, let alone know the origin of his stage name.
Madhu playing the writer gives off a charming vibrance even if the acting is a bit over the top. But Nazir's romantic artist in the second half is even more animated. The friendship between the ghost and the writer in the first half helps in the unravelling of the typical love story in the second half. And the songs, the movie couldn't go into a dull moment because one of the greatest albums of all time exists through this movie and even if nothing else, that alone makes this movie worth every praise in the world. M. S. Baburaj's music and P Bhaskaran's lyrics together have made magic that elevates the movie.
This movie is not without its faults but the positives of this movie come along with so much heart and charm and being such an iconic milestone in the industry for so many things, I can't help but love it despite all its faults.
I'm now more apprehensive about the new adaptation of Neelavelicham coming next month. Ashiq Abu is a good director, but not always. And using the same songs didn't feel as bad when the first two songs came out but Thamasamenthe's new version didn't feel right somehow. It's just too modern and not enough modern while changing everything visual about the original song. Still, I'd hope for the best from the new version.
