Last year when our film industry was limping back to normalcy after the pandemic enforced shutdown of theatres, Tharun Moorthy's "Operation Java" was one of the first movies to go for a theatrical release. It was a well made movie that was both realistic and engaging and just like many others, even I had thoroughly enjoyed it. Ever since that, I have been eagerly waiting for his second directorial project "Saudi Vellakka" which finally hit the screens last Friday. Ironically, I didn't know that it was his movie about a fortnight back though the manner the poster was made and the cast involved kind of reminded me of his debut venture. Anyway the movie turned out to be a wonderful experience both for its heart touching emotional content and endearing performances.
If cyber crime was the topic that Tharun had tackled earlier, this time around his focus is on the pendency of trial and the impact that it has on the people involved. The film unfolds with Abhilash (Lukman) getting summoned to court for a trial that has been running for close to 14 years. Apparently, the case had happened when he was a kid & the person that was at the centre of it apart from him was an old lady, Ayesha Rawther (Devi Verma). Tharun takes us through an emotional journey which begins with the inception of the case and the effect it had on the lives of people over this insanely long period of time.
The effect that time has on a person is brilliantly portrayed in the expressions & body language of Devi Verma. From a person who was feisty and never short of words be it to her daughter in law or neighbour, she literally mellows down completely & becomes a silent watcher to the wheels of justice creaking along at a snail's pace. However, she relentlessly pursues the case & despite her age, earns the means to pay her legal counsel for his services. A lion share of the praise belongs to Pauly Valsan, who had dubbed for Devi & who I felt could have also possibly done justice to the character. Tharun deserves appreciation for the manner he has created all the characters as each one had a specific purpose & also for his fantastic casting as pretty much all of them have done justice to their roles. With regard to visuals, Sharan Velayudhan has done a decent job while the music and BGM by Palee Francis was soothing to the ears.
Apart from Devi, a couple of others also deserve special mention such as Sujith Shankar (as Sathaar) who was fantastic as the meek emotional son, Binu Pappan, Lukman & Dhanya Ananya (as Naseema) . Even artists like Sminu, Vincy, the autorickshaw driver, Gokulan, Ramya Suresh, marriage broker etc did their roles aptly.
Verdict: Yet another impressive movie that has released this year as Tharun enhanced his credentials emphasizing that he is indeed one of the most talented story tellers in the industry. It is a slow paced movie which will keep us engrossed in its emotional drama. As for the question that it raises, is there no solution at all for the lumbering pace at which our judicial system works after all justice delayed is justice denied. In short, dont miss it!!!
Rating: 3.5/5
Regards...Ben
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