The
long
anxious
wait
is
over
and
the
classic
movie
Pazhassi
Raja
has
released
in
all
the
major
theatres
with
much
enthusiasm.
The
Hariharan
–
MT
Vasudevan
team
is
back
with
their
historical
venture
with
Mammootty
at
the
helm.
Oru
Vadakkan
Veeragatha
was
a
novel
venture
and
Pazhassi
Raja
can
only
heap
laurels
on
the
makers
for
their
creative
endeavour.
Pazhassi
raja
travels
back
in
time
to
the
18th
century
when
Kerala
Varma
Pazhassi
Raja
hailing
from
the
Kottayam
Royal
family
stood
up
to
face
the
unjust
policies
of
the
East
India
Company
which
had
tried
to
establish
its
regime.
Pazhassi
Raja
raised
his
voice
against
the
unjust
revenue
policy,
which
they
tried
to
impose
in
Malabar.
The
tax
policy
caused
much
chaos
and
there
was
widespread
agitation.
The
film
opens
with
Veeravarma
essayed
by
veteran
actor
Thilakan
sending
a
letter
to
the
East
India
Company
informing
them
of
collecting
taxes
on
their
behalf.
This
endeavour
is
later
taken
up
by
Pazhayamveedan
Chandhu
played
by
Suman.
However
Pazhassi
Raja
strongly
opposes
this
move
and
harps
on
guerilla
warfare
to
establish
peace
in
the
area.
The
Company
unable
to
come
to
terms
with
Pazhassi
Raja"s
rebellion
enters
into
a
treaty
with
him.
However
as
we
are
all
aware
of
the
Company
treacherous
ways,
they
do
not
keep
their
word
and
leads
to
a
war
between
Kerala
Varma
Pazhassi
Raja
and
the
East
India
Company.
The
Kurichiyar
tribe
members
offer
support
to
the
king
in
his
fight
for
justice.
Thalakkal
Chanthu
(Manoj
K
Jayan)
leads
the
tribals,
while
Edachena
Kunkan
(Sarath
Kumar)
the
commander-in-chief
of
Pazhassi
Raja
offer
unflinching
support
to
the
King.
The
Lion
of
Kerala,
as
he
was
fondly
known
had
to
forsake
his
kingdom
and
family
in
this
war
for
freedom.
Mammootty
has
proven
once
again
that
he
has
more
mettle
than
anyone
can
vouchsafe
for.
Tamil
actor
Sarath
Kumar
is
a
pleasant
surprise
and
Manoj
K
Jayan
is
back
with
a
bang.
The
manliness
of
these
three
characters
is
a
novel
sight
for
the
audience.
Kaniha
as
Pazhassi
Raja"s
wife
Makkam,
Suresh
Krishna
as
Kaitheri
Ambu,
Lalu
Alex
as
Emman
Nair,
Captain
Raju
as
Unni
Mootha
add
to
the
meaning
of
the
cinema.
So
also
Peter
Evans
as
Major
James
and
Harry
Key
as
Thomas,
the
representatives
of
the
East
India
Company
deserve
special
credit
for
their
performance.
With
the
music
by
Ilayaraja
and
special
sound
effects
by
Resul
Pookutty,
the
movie
is
a
treat
for
movie
lovers.
Technically,
the
movie
scales
higher
and
so
does
the
camera
work
by
Venu
and
Ramanath
Shetty.
The
film
suffers
from
minor
hitches
like
the
foreign
accent
of
Padmapriya
who
has
dubbed
for
herself
and
some
sloppy
fight
scenes.
However
one
may
overlook
these
weaknesses,
considering
the
film
in
its
entirety.
History
let
us
leave
it
to
the
historians,
but
as
a
piece
of
art,
the
movie
definitely
commends
applause.
Awards
are
definitely
in
the
line
we
hope
for
Pazhassi
Raja.