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Chaandupottu
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'Chaandupottu' Entertaining

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

There is no mistaking it. Dileep’s daring essay in experimentation has paid off, for the Lal Jose-directed movie has got off to a fine start. Reports emanating from Mollywood have it that Chaandupottu is going to be a super hit in the manner of his earlier hit films like Meesha Madhavan, Parakkum Thaliga and CID Moosa.

The news must have come as an immense relief for Dileep, who had been passing through a lean patch over the last few years. Films like Kathavaseshan, Kochi Rajavu were near washouts, but Pandippada retrieved a bit of the lost ground. That way, Chaandupottu is the first hit to have come Dileep’s way after the smashing success of CID Moosa.

Why

has Chaandupottu clicked? The reasons are not far to seek. All the ingredients that go into the making of a hit are there: a strong story backed up by an effective screenplay and competent performances from the protagonists.
Lal Jose and Dileep have ventured out into unchartered territory. The theme is something that no other hero has tried earlier in Malayalam cinema. Credit must go to Dileep, director Lal Jose and screenplay writer Benny Nayarambalam for that. It is not easy to succeed with such delicate and daring themes. But Dileep, Lal Jose and Benny have managed it.

The story is about Radhakrishnan (Dileep) who has been brought up like a girl by his grandmother (Sukumari). As a result, Radhakrishnan develops feminine characteristics.

Life is never easy for Radha as he becomes the butt of jokes and pranks of all and sundry in the village. But Radhakrishnan himself is unfazed and spends more time with girls singing and teaching them dancing.

Despite his effeminate nature, Malu (Gopika) falls in love with Radhakrishnan. But there is a villain in the form of Kumaran (Indrajeet). Kumaran does not like Malu’s preference for Radhakrishnan. So he hatches a conspiracy to get Radha out of the scene with the help of Malu’s father (Rajan P.Dev), a local astrologer. Radha is beaten up and thrown into the sea. But Freddy (Biju Menon) and his sister Rosa (Bhavana) save him and take him to Goa where he becomes a part of the Christian family.

Meanwhile, things come to a head back in the village. A furious Kumaran has Radhakrishnan’s parents killed. How Radhakrishnan returns to the village and has his revenge forms the rest of the story.

The highlight of Chaandupottu is, of course, a masterly portrayal by Dileep. Of course, comedy is his forte and once again Dileep retains his immaculate sense of comedy. His skill in mimicry and dialogue delivery stands him in good stead in delineating a difficult role which requires him to act both as a male and female. But Dileep rises to the challenge.

Indrajeet is a convincing villain while Gopika, Biju Menon and Bhavana put up praiseworthy performances. Music by Vidyasagar is above average. However, Azhagappan’s camera has framed coastal Kerala at its bucolic best with the sea as the magical backdrop.

All in all, Chaandupottu is an important milestone in Dileep’s chequered acting career. And the people have accepted his daring essay in experimentation.

Worth a visit

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