Mammootty As "Gulan Kunjumon"

When it comes to the movie ‘Thuruppu Gulan’, it is all about Mammootty and you can either absolutely love him in it or hate him! Even the best of his fans would agree that he was over the top in some scenes but his worst critic would agree he was excellent in other. In general, the film evokes a mixed feeling in you.

Kunjumon (Mammootty) is the son of Kochuthoma (Innocent), who runs a Thattukada at Cochin. Kochuthoma sends his son to a friend at Kozhikode because Kunjomon has caused too much problem at Kochi, even as a kid. But kid grew up to become the very person Kochuthoma has dreaded.

Kunjumon (Mammootty), popularly known as Gulan, for his skill at playing cards, became rich by gambling and has scores of Tattukada’s at Kozhikode. He is feared by all and has all the high connections. Kochuthoma has problems with the owners of Raj Palace, a five star hotel beside his thattukada, and Kunjumon (Mammootty)rushes to his aid.

Earlier, the real owner of Raj Palace Menon (Devan), who was friends with Kochuthoma had moved to Singapore with his family to pursue business, leaving Raj Palace under the care of his trusted companion Sreedharan Unnithan (Kalashala Babu), but was cheated by him. He lost everything he earned in Singapore and was jailed by the dirty games played by Sreedharan Unnithan and his sons. Only way for his daughter Lakshmi (Sneha) to release him was to raise 10 crore rupees. She finds solace in Kochuthoma and Kunjumon. The rest of the story is how Kunjumon helps her release her father and how he sweep away the bad guys.

There is a big dilemma when it comes to commenting on Mammotty’s performance— u can call it good and grouchy— all at the same time. If only they hadn’t gone over the top in some scenes and had gone for milder jokes as in ‘Rajamanikyam’, then the whole scenario would have been different. The attempt was clearly to top what ‘Rajamanikyam’ did. It is hard to see a person doing all the crude jokes, a person who had maintained a macho image all through his career. But he is so funny in some scenes that you will forget who he is. In the end that is what saved the film.

Director Johnny Antony has nothing new to offer to the no-brainer written by Sibi.K.Thomas - Udaya Krishna. The supporting cast which includes loads of comic actors was reduced to mere spectators as Mammootty towers over the screen space. Alex Paul’s music was disappointing and it is better not to mention the lyrics, at all.

Nayantara Hotty and Camly Images at www.nayantara4u.blogspot.com