Shanavas K Bavakkutty’s latest film, Oru Kattil Oru Muri (OKOM), presents a multi-narrative structure centered around a bed and the lives of its three occupants. The story begins with Rugmangadan (played by Hakim Shahjahan), who is introduced waking up in his car, only to spot a group of goons approaching him. Narrowly escaping, Rugmangadan soon finds himself repeatedly pursued by different groups of thugs, yet the sequences fail to build any genuine tension. The film provides scattered details about why these goons are after him, but the clunky exposition and weak writing prevent the plot from engaging the audience, leading to a sense of monotony rather than suspense.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Review
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Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Plot Summary:
“Oru Kattil Oru Muri” (OKOM), directed by Shanavas K Bavakutty, attempts to tell a multi-narrative story revolving around a single bed and its three occupants. The film opens with Rugmangadan (played by Hakim Shahjahan), a man on the run from a group of goons. We are introduced to him as he wakes up in his car, only to escape an attack from approaching thugs. Rugmangadan’s life is filled with odd encounters, and we repeatedly see him chased by different sets of goons throughout the film.
The bed that ties the narratives together originally belonged to Akkamma (Poornima Indrajith), a Tamil-speaking woman who is deeply attached to it due to sentimental memories with her estranged husband. Akkamma remains emotionally fixated on both the bed and her lost relationship, to the point where it becomes her entire world.
The current occupant of the bed is Madhumiya (Priyamvada Krishnan), a young woman in her late twenties who is staying in Akkamma’s house while searching for a job. Her story includes tense interactions with her family, particularly her strained relationship with her father, portrayed with a compelling performance by Shammi Thilakan.
The film’s core concept of three individuals linked by a single bed, each with their unique backstories and emotional baggage, had the potential for depth. Unfortunately, the film’s disjointed and fragmented narrative prevents it from truly engaging the audience.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Cast:
- Hakim Shahjahan as Rugmangadan
- Poornima Indrajith as Akkamma (Tripura Sundari)
- Priyamvada Krishnan as Madhumiya
- Shammi Thilakan in an extended cameo
- Vijayaraghavan, Janardanan in supporting roles
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Review:
The fundamental flaw of OKOM lies in its weak narrative structure. The film often meanders with random, incoherent episodes that fail to either propel the story forward or develop its characters meaningfully. Rugmangadan’s encounters with various goons are repetitive and do not build suspense or tension. Instead, they become tiresome interruptions.
In the case of Akkamma, her fixation on her bed and her husband becomes repetitive to the point of being frustrating. Madhumiya’s story, while more promising in its exploration of dysfunctional family dynamics, is also bogged down by the film’s lack of focus.
There are glimpses of potential, such as the subplot involving Madhumiya’s complex family relationship, but these moments are few and far between. The scattered screenplay, penned by veteran scenarist Raghunath Paleri, tries to juggle too many narrative threads without weaving them into a coherent whole.
What Works:
- Cinematography: Eldhose George’s camerawork is one of the few redeeming elements of the film. His ability to capture intimate scenes within the tight spaces of buildings and rooms gives the film a certain visual appeal. The camera’s movements help evoke a sense of claustrophobia that mirrors the confined, trapped lives of the characters.
- Shammi Thilakan’s Performance: In an extended cameo as Madhumiya’s father, Shammi Thilakan provides one of the few performances that resonate. His portrayal of a stern yet emotionally complex patriarch brings depth to an otherwise monotonous narrative.
What Doesn’t Work:
- Fragmented Storytelling: The film jumps between different subplots with no clear connection or purpose. This lack of coherence makes it difficult for the audience to invest in the characters or their stories.
- Underdeveloped Characters: Despite decent performances from the cast, the characters remain underdeveloped. Rugmangadan’s misadventures as an Uber driver do little to flesh out his personality, while Akkamma’s obsession with her bed feels one-dimensional.
- Unnecessary Subplots: The random subplots, such as Rugmangadan’s interactions with his passengers and the goon sequences, serve as distractions rather than adding value to the story. These scenes could have been omitted or better integrated into the main narrative.
- Lack of Focus: The screenplay fails to stay focused on its core plot and instead drifts aimlessly, resulting in a tedious viewing experience. The film’s pacing suffers due to these irrelevant diversions, making its relatively short runtime feel overly long.
- Emotional Disconnect: Despite the film’s attempt to explore deep emotions and relationships, the weak writing and disjointed narrative prevent any real emotional connection with the characters.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Cast Performances:
- Hakim Shahjahan as Rugmangadan offers a performance that fits the role but lacks depth due to the weak script.
- Poornima Indrajith does her best to portray Akkamma, but the repetitive nature of her character’s emotional fixation diminishes the impact of her performance.
- Priyamvada Krishnan as Madhumiya has a few moments of emotional resonance, particularly in her scenes with Shammi Thilakan, but the overall character development is lacking.
- Vijayaraghavan and Janardanan, both seasoned actors, are underutilized, leaving their talents wasted.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Technical Aspects:
- Cinematography by Eldhose George is the film’s strongest technical asset, with well-composed shots within confined spaces that evoke a sense of emotional and physical claustrophobia.
- Editing could have been tighter to reduce the film’s meandering pace and remove unnecessary scenes.
- Music and Sound Design fail to leave a lasting impression, adding little to the film’s atmosphere or emotional depth.
Verdict:
“Oru Kattil Oru Muri” had the potential to be a meaningful exploration of relationships and personal growth centered around the symbolism of a shared bed. However, the film falters due to its fragmented narrative, underdeveloped characters, and lack of focus. Despite some commendable performances and solid cinematography, the film ultimately fails to engage or entertain. With a tighter script and more cohesive storytelling, OKOM could have been a compelling watch, but as it stands, it’s an underwhelming effort.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Director:
Director: Shanavas K Bavakutty.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Writer:
Writer: Raghunath Paleri.
Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie Rating:
Rating: ★★☆☆☆ 2/5 Stars.
Where to Watch Oru Kattil Oru Muri Malayalam Movie:
The film is currently available for streaming in Theaters.
FAQs: (Frequently Asked Questions)
- What is ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’ about?
‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’ is a multi-narrative Malayalam drama centered around a bed and its three different occupants, exploring themes of relationships, personal growth, and emotional attachment. - Who directed ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’?
The film was directed by Shanavas K Bavakutty. - Who are the main cast members of ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’?
The primary cast includes Hakim Shahjahan as Rugmangadan, Poornima Indrajith as Akkamma, and Priyamvada Krishnan as Madhumiya. - What is the central theme of the film?
The film revolves around the emotional and physical connection that three characters share with a bed, representing their past relationships, struggles, and personal growth. - Is ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’ worth watching?
While the film has some moments of potential, it suffers from disjointed storytelling and lacks emotional depth, making it a tedious watch for many viewers. - What works well in the film?
Eldhose George’s cinematography and Shammi Thilakan’s performance as Madhumiya’s father are highlights of the film. - What are the main weaknesses of the film?
The fragmented narrative, underdeveloped characters, and random subplots weaken the overall impact of the movie. - How long is the movie?
The runtime of ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’ is approximately two hours. - Where can I stream ‘Oru Kattil Oru Muri’?
The movie is available for streaming in Theaters.
