Annayum Rasoolum
A Simple Heartwarming Tale of the Angst of Yearning !
By - Lt Col D Purushothaman Pillay (Retd)
'Annayam Rasoolum' is that once in a while movie that one watches, which will then remain with you for the rest of your life. One can't really put a finger on why it remains so? It is perhaps due to an intriguing mix of reasons, starting with the way the soul of the story was conceived, proceeding to the sincerity of the narration of the theme, coupled with the essence of the characters who make up that story and finally because of the earnest performances of the actors who bring those characters to life. The mood, the music and the backdrop in which it is set, needs to all fall into place for it to find that niche in memory forever. Very few movies have that innate forthright candour that begets this precious legacy, it surely did, in this case. Therefore, one will never forget it, but discuss it, rewatch it and mull over it from time to time, both in thoughtful solitude and in erudite company.
The story depicts the unfolding of the twisted destinies of a Ponnani born, Kochi-based Muslim taxi driver Rasool, staying with his elder brother, relocated at a decrepit rented accomodation in Mattancherry, who accidentally falls in love with a lonely Christian salesgirl Anna from Vypeen, through a chance acquaintance of a failed-lover, seafarer returning home on leave; who hires his car from the wharf for that fateful trip to his home in Vypeen.
FTII graduate and ace cinematographer Rajeev Ravi who debuted with the much awarded Chandni Bar, whose body of work also includes Dev D, Gangs of Wasseypur and Classmates; indeed makes an impressive directorial debut. The charm of Rajeev Ravi's 'Annayum Rasoolum' lies in its uncomplicated lucidity. It is a simple heartwarming tale of yearning which captures the angst of two pedestrian souls, living very ordinary lives. The main protagonists with their soul-stirring performances enact a saga that sucks the viewer; into palpably feeling their torment, be torn by their strife and empathise with their unending tribulations.
What can one say about Fahad Faasil? I personally admire this young man, you may even call me a fan, but in one word his performance in the film is just - "BRILLIANT". He just cannot seem to put a foot wrong these days and is fast emerging as a heart-stealer, whose astute choice of work would be an envy for any upcoming actor to study and take lessons in choosing the right roles. He knows what he is doing, and is one newgen actor who has impressed one and all, with doing what he knows he does well. He knows his strengths and every new role he purposefully selects, endears him to his growing number of fans. His enactment of Rasool, mesmerises you with his innocent smile and those expressive eyes. His thespian act, enraptures the audience so much, so as to makes them lose the sense of time and become so involved in his life to root for him, to surmount all odds and get his object of yearning. That explains why despite the near three hour length no one really seems to be complaining about it, for Fahad casts his spell and makes you feel for him, you almost want to be there to help him and see that he gets what he wants. I cried profusely, when after the bold elopement and multiple relocations, he finally managed to move into his own house and atlast be alone with his Anna; albeit for just one night. I do not mean to spoil the suspense, but really wished they could have lived happily ever after. But then I guess the story needed to end the way it did, for us to like it the way we do.
Debutant Andrea Jeremiah as the vulnerable unsure Anna Josephina, captured the melancholy and strife of a young woman getting uncalled attention, which on one level she likes, but cant admit to or allow to prosper, for fear of a looming tragic doom. The movie though narrated by Ashley (Sunny Wayne) a victim of unrequited love; who tries to author a love story by attempting to alter the course of these two destinies; ends up playing out the suffering and misery of Anna's fearful fate. Two other performances deserve special mention for their passionate poignancy. One is that of Soubin Shahir as Collin, Rasool's friend, who impressed with his great one-liners and comic timing and the other one is that of Srinda Ashab as Fazila, the effervescent wife of a small time crook - Abu.
Cinematographer Madhu Neelakandan's candid camera captured the essence of the pathos both in the characters and the narrative. Only occasionally, was he guilty of indulgently capturing blurry, over-focussed streetscapes, through a maze of an assortment of overhanging wires from streetpoles; in the begining of the film and then lingering, that wee bit longer, on static facial close-ups. Santhosh Aechikanam's, soulful script did more than full justice to what was being attempted. The freshness of the melodious soundtrack could be attributed to the youth of the 26 year old Nagapattinam-born, Chennai-based composer, singer-songwriter, Krishna Kumar, better known by his stage name 'K'. He is a music prodigy who was also trained at the Trinity College of London. The meaningful lyrics were written by Anwar Ali and Rafeeq Thiruvallur. The film also enjoys the hype of having five malayalam film directors making an appearance in it viz; Ranjith as Usman the estranged father, P. Balachandran as Rasheed, Ashiq Abu as Haider - Rasool's tormented brother, Joy Mathew as Anna's father and M.G. Sasi. They all did play their parts as actors very competently.
Fahad, Andrea, Ashiq Abu, Ranjith, Sunny, Soubin and Srinda are some of the new names of actors I shall look out for in movies I would want to watch in future.
Go see this wonderful film, it is very rare these days to find something so sincere, lucid and heartwarming, where one unwittingly ends up involuntarily sharing the plight, celebrating the joys and lamenting the sorrows of the protagonists, in the end it is a film that makes you laugh and cry with 'Annayum Rasoolum'.
