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Keerthichakra
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'Keerthichakra' A Fabulous Flick

By P. Sreekumaran
Film critic, ApunKaChoice.Com

Keerthichakra is a Mohanlal movie all the way. The megastar provides yet another glimpse into his awesome reservoir of talent with a masterly display.

It is also a commendable maiden directorial venture from Major Ravi – an ex-army man himself. The narrative pace is brisk and the frames radiate energy and passion. Both Mohanlal and Major Ravi deserve a ‘Keerthichakra’ for fashioning a fabulous flick! The script is taut and editing, crisp.

The

film is only two hour and nine minutes long. In the hands of a less imaginative director, it could have become a long and tedious affair.

Keerthichakra turns the spotlight on a daring bunch of commandoes fighting militancy in Kashmir. The fact that it has been made by a man who is familiar with the sinister face of terrorism gives it an authentic touch.

Major Mahadevan (Mohanlal) is a man with a mission : to track down and eliminate a terrorist outfit headed by an Afghani. In turn, Afghani Nawab is out to accomplish his own sinister objective of blowing up the holy Hazaratbal Mosque and whip up communal tension.

Keerthichakra documents the manner in which Major Mahadevan and his bunch of dare-devil commandoes thwart the militants’ conspiracy. Major Mahadevan has an able lieutenant to assist him in the given task : a young man called Jaikumar (Jeeva).

Incidentally, Mahadevan is a victim of terrorism, his own wife (Lakshmi Gopalaswamy) and family getting killed by a bomb. Another colleague of Mahadevan is Krishna Kumar (Shammi Thilakan) who is scared of blood-letting.

The highlight of the film is also the efficient manner in which Major Ravi has been able to provide an authentic insight into the life and times of ordinary Kashmiri people who have borne the brunt of terrorism. Their daily encounters with the ugly face of terrorism, the tragedies in their lives – all have been framed with a rare candour and feel.

The brutal rape scene in which the members of a Kashmiri family are raped and killed by the terrorists could have been edited and made less shocking and repulsive.

The climax scene in which Mohanlal is saved by Jeeva, who dies in the process, is the piece de resistance of the movie. Another highlight is that the villain speaks his own mother tongue : Afghani. Of course, Jaikumar is awarded Keerthichakra posthumously.

Mohanlal’s performance as Major Mahadevan is outstanding. It is a portrayal with which our army jawans and officers can easily identify themselves. The mega star’s delineation of the major’s role is sure to strike a responsive chord among the soldiers battling militants.

Keerthichakra is also noticeable for the sensitive performance by Tamil actor Jeeva. The young actor has imbued his role with maniac energy. Shammi Thilakan also rises to great histrionic heights in a cameo role. Lakshmi Gopalaswamy and Gopika are adequate.

Thiru’s fabulous frames and Joshua Sridhar’s marvelous music enhance the delight of watching Keerthichakra.

An authentic peep into the life and times of soldiers out on a mission to fight terrorists.

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