Plot
Set
against
the
backdrop
of
the
Mamangam
Mahotsavam
which
was
prevalent
during
the
17th
and
18th
century,
in
Thirunavaya
on
the
banks
of
river
Bharathapuzha,
the
film
begins
with
a
narration,
explaining
the
history
of
the
festival
which
takes
a
violent
turn
every
year
after
the
king
of
Valluvanadu
is
captured
by
Samuthiri,
the
chief
of
Kozhikode
(also
known
as
Zamorins).
Since
then,
the
king
of
Valluvanadu
sends
suicide
warriors
(called
Chaaverukas)
every
year
to
the
festival
to
kill
Samuthiri.
One
among
them
is
Chandroth
Valiya
Panicker
(Mammootty)
and
his
chaaveruka.
Post
a
thrilling
action
sequence,
the
movie
jumps
25
years
and
the
Valluvanadu
families
are
running
out
of
men;
Chandroth
Panicker
(Unni
Mukundan)
and
Chandroth
Chanthunni
(Achuthan)
set
out
to
overthrow
the
Zamorins
and
reclaim
the
lost
honour
of
the
Valluvanadu
people.
Direction
M
Padmakumar
brings
to
life
a
slice
of
history
on
the
big
screen
with
dramatic
touches
of
fiction
and
manages
to
hold
your
attention
with
his
efficient
story-telling.
While
the
action
sequences
are
well-shot,
the
film
goes
a
tad
off-track
when
the
makers
try
to
explore
the
emotional
side
of
the
story.
On
the
flip
side,
a
tauter
narrative
would
have
made
Mamangam
a
more
effective
watch.
Performances
Mammootty
as
Chandroth
Valiya
Panicker
packs
a
punch
when
it
comes
to
picking
up
the
sword
and
the
gravity-defying
jumps.
His
transition
from
a
fierce
warrior
to
an
effeminate
artist
during
a
certain
portion
of
the
film
looks
effortless.
Unni
Mukundan's
solid
screen
presence
and
impressive
acting
chops
make
the
film
more
palatable.
Apart
from
these
two,
it's
Master
Achuthan
who
steals
your
hearts
with
his
affability
and
dexterous
action
scenes.
Prachi
Tehlan
as
Unnimaaya
is
expressive
in
her
portions.
Kaviyoor
Poonama
and
Valsala
too
lend
support
to
the
story-telling.
Technical
Aspects
Manoj
Pillai's
cinematography
blends
beautifully
with
the
script
and
together,
the
visuals
turn
out
to
be
a
treat.
The
fight
sequences
have
been
well-shot.
Raja
Mohammad's
editing
scissors
could
have
been
a
bit
more
sharper
to
tie
the
loose
ends
of
the
film.
Music
'Boondon
Si'
has
been
beautifully
picturised
and
the
dance
moves
leave
you
mesmerised.
The
rest
of
the
songs
barely
make
a
mark.
Verdict
'Kalyug
ke
isse
Raavan
ke
vinaash
ke
liye,
ek
maha
avatar
ki
avashyakta
hai.'
Thankfully,
the
film
doesn't
resort
to
unnecessary
heroism
or
turn
out
to
be
a
one-man
show.
We
are
going
with
3
stars
out
of
5
for
Mamangam.