Director: Priyadarshan
*ing : Tabu, Mohanlal
Music : Ilyaraja
Reviewed by: Sachin Dehra
S.Dehra@rhbenc.ac.uk
Rating : 
(out of 
)
This film set during the British raj sees Mohanlal play a nationalist fighting the Independence of India. He is wrongly convicted of a terrorist bombing and is sent to the notorious Kalapani jail on remote Islands outside India. The story is basically the struggles of Mohanlal against the strict British prison guards who show no respect for the Indians who on the whole are well educated non-violent Congress members. Tabu plays Mohanlal bride to be who waits for him while he is in jail. Most of the British are the stereo typical tyrants but the unique part of this film is that one British character(The Doctor) is kind,gentle and a hero of the film. The film therefore shows a well balanced view of the British raj.
The film is well directed,acted and the music probably will not be a hit but suits the film well. There is however alot of English dialogue in this film and therefore may not appeal to everyone. It is certainly an adult film as there is a strict message in the film of how a non-violent person can be driven to violence through repression.
This film is highly recommended and though not everyone will like it is a good historical film which should not be ignored but praised for its originality and direction. More films like this should be made.
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