Well, like Kamal Hassan's 'Viswaroopam' had 1 powerful sequence to recommend the entire movie, because, to be fair, everything building up to it also was partially responsible for how the execution of that particular sequence stood out in recent memory, this movie has 2 such sequences, which, to me, are worth the price of admission, and one's time plus effort.
Mohanlal has always been a consummate actor, and, in playing a lifelong blind person in this one, kinda outdoes his own previous performances. However, his characterization isn't perfect, and there are vibes/echoes from superior movies in the same genre throughout, and, in my mind, that's both the writers' and the director's fault.
Unfortunately for the team, this is also the week after one's viewed the superb performance by thespian Stephen Lang, as a blind defender of his own domain that one'd still wanna hate, from the fantastic 'Don't Breathe'.
Having said that, the casting and the performances are bang-on throughout. Mohanlal is ably supported by the likes of Samuthirakani (who's unfortunately made to ham it up during 2 sequences in the movie, for no good reason, imho), Anusree, Nedumudi Venu, Vimala Raman, Chemban Vinod (hilarious, though they flood a dead horse repeatedly with jokes made on his account, and interactions with Mammukoya) & Renji Panicker (who's screen-presence is completely wasted). And oh yeah, Any Varghese too.
The background score grates, some of the cgi is pretty bad, along with the cinematography being ordinary. The songs are unnecessary, and other than the title number, which has pleasing notes in parts while seeking pretentious at the same time, are forgettable.
There's also a parallel thread with Anusree's character investigating a series of homicides that coincidentally turn out to be delayed to the main plot, but the details provided by the makers on the other cases are sketchy at best, and that detracts from the main plot, and worse, ultimately frustrates. In spite of which, our eyes, in stark irony to the main lead's, stay riveted on this character. One can't look away, and, imho, that's a fantastic testament to Mohanlal's interpretation of the main character, in each and every sequence. This year, he's done great work in both 'Manamantha'/'Vismayam' and the ma(e)ssy 'Janatha Garage', but he needs to take a bow for doing this one, the way he's done.
Worth watching, overall, though I wish it'd been better, and directed with someone having a surer touch (Alphonse Putheran, maybe?) and a softer hand. Watch it for those 2 sequences I referred to, some comedy, and most performances, especially Lalettan's & Samuthirakani's.
