Actor-turned Director Joju George’s debut as a director plays to the strengths of contemporary Malayalam dialogue-heave dramas of revenge fused with the fad of gore on screen.
The slowburner of character introductions starts with Don Sebastian and Sijottan murdering in daylight on a crowded street. That murder could have been the easiest way to weave a revenge drama, especially after IPS of Thrissur announcing the arrival of newbies into the established God-Father-like-world of Thrissurites: Giri and his associates, who are also a family. But, Joju George doesn’t choose the convenient way. He walks the path of Malayalam cinema that it is known for, for all the right reasons. The protective husband’s ego is clashed with highly egoistic duo, Don and Siju, who thinks less and act more, who fear less and courage more.
“Fear is a reaction; Courage is a decision” declares Joju George as the film starts. That is the same psyche of all major characters in the movie, excluding the police. The police system has the least influence in the power hierarchy among the Gangs of Thrissur. Yet, even the almighty have to succumb to the bravest of stupidity. The acts of intruding into the home of Giriyetta and exploiting his is the stupidest act ever. However, the two newbie amateurs had made it possible. Thus the saga begins.
Pani is a regular ego-driven intense drama. The world of Thrissur, where the classical-music loving family– the one that calls the shots of Thrissur’s real estate, makes it a more compelling and interesting world. However, Pani falls flat where it tries to make a move in the story to elevate the brave idiocy of Don and Siju. When it becomes evident that the unknown newbies and wanna-be dons of Thrissur are attempting, as well as successfully killing, one by one in the family, why doesn’t the family stay united and protect each other? Rather, they isolate each other, giving space for the killings of Don and Siju. Of course, the story might progress as intended. But, the established legacy of calling the shots in Thrissur and their expected level of tactfulness is compromised in the pursuit of running the story.
Sam CS’s music deserves the attention, but it also doesn’t push the punches that the intense drama deserves. However, it was compensated for through Ajayan Adat’s sound design. Dinesh Subbarayan’s stunt choreography and Jinto George & Venu Isc’s cinematography of racing in the streets of Thrissur are interesting to watch. A little bit of focused characterisation would have saved Pani by a lot. Despite its minor flaws of underwriting, Panu successfully engages through its intense drama throughout the film.
TF Rating: 2.5/5
Pani is now streaming on SonyLIV
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