A critique of Aashiq Abu movie 22 female Kottayam

22 female Kottayam-a brave attempt

Aashiq Abu was became one of the most promising young director of Malayalam film industry especially after his last venture Salt and Pepper. The movie Salt and Pepper was well received by the ordinary people and the critics alike. Salt and Pepper was really a trend setter in Malayalam film industry in 2011. Aashiq Abu has proved his craftsman spirit with this movie. 22 Female Kottayam is next flick of Aashiq Abu. Normally expectations of viewers are at its peak since it is a movie directed by Aashiq Abu soon after Salt and Pepper. As expected Aashiq Abu convinced the audience with his new flick 22 Female Kottayam . He kept his promise. Once again prove his urge for good movies. A brave attempt- in brief we can say about this movie. The movie is really innovative. The movie has enough stuff to evoke the sense of the viewer.

Cast and crew of 22 female Kottayam

22 Female Kottayam deals with the story of a young nurse called Tessa K. Abraham. Rima Kallingal,one of the most promising young heroine of Malayalam film industry is playing the role of Tessa. The actress is very much excited by give life to such a powerful character. Fahad Fazil portrays the character Cyril.Veterans such as T.G Ravi, Sathar and Prathap Pothen also became a part of this movie along with these comparatively new generation actors. Aashiq Abu also introducing certain talented new faces in this film. Aashiq Abu has become one of the most distinguishing directors of Malayalam film industry with 22 female Kottayam. Script of the movie was penned by new comers such as Abhilash Kumar and Shyam Pushkaran. The movie was produced by O.G Sunil. Music and background score of the movie was handled by Bijibal and Rex Vijayan. The film is comparavely a low budget movie and its expense is just 2.50 crore. Cinematography by Shyju Khalid was amazing . Vivek Harshan has done a brilliant work as an editor. The film is inspired by Quentin Tarantino’s Kill Bill,Sriram Raghavan’s Ek Hasina Thi and Cabaret Dancer by N.Sankaran Nair. The whole cast and crew has tried their level best to make 22 female Kottayam as an everlasting experience.

Story of the movie

22 Female Kottayam,as the name indicates show cases the touching story of a young girl called Tessa. K. Abraham (Rima Kallingal). The story of the movie is set on the background of Bangalore, one of the cosmopolitan cities in India. Tessa is working as nurse in hospital at Bangalore. She wishes to aspire a great career by flying abroad especially in Canada. As a part of that she meets with Cyril (Fahad fazil) a handsome and smart guy. Cyril helps to solve certain issues related to her certificates. Meanwhile both Tessa and Cyril fall in love. They drink together as well as share bed together. They used to wander over at night. One day Cyril asks Tessa to stay with him at his apartment. They began to live together. Suddenly certain unfortunate things happen. Tessa is brutally raped by Cyril’s Boss. The rest of the movie deals with the further changes in the life of Tessa.

Theme of the movie

Nurse provides valuable services. It is very unfortunate that conditions of nurses in India are very crucial. Aashiq Abu this time came forward with a tale of nurse. Thus the movie is very much important in the present scenario. Certain scenes in this movie remember us the remarkable services provide by a committed nurse. At the same time movie shows exploitations and other abuses against nurses. Film also provides a post modern perspective to love, sex and man-women relationship, virginity etc. The film is extremely unconventional. The female lead character is not at all conscious about virginity. She had lost virginity during her adolescence period itself and never expresses a sense of regret in that. She never hesitates to drink with his lover. She is used to wander with him at night. Tessa. K.Abraham is not a typical heroine. She is extremely unconventional and approaches the life with a will power. Even brutal rape can’t disturb her much. She is a representative of post modern bold girls. The movie also breaks al the morality codes. It brings out certain innovative thoughts in man-women relationship as well as sex. Liberation of body is the main theme of the movie. The movie doesn’t oppose the role of physical relation in love. The entire movie is come forward with several innovative thoughts. 22 female Kottayam movie deconstructs Victorian morality and show a new path to Malayalam film industry.

Positives of the movie

Good direction is the main highlight of the movie. Aashiq Abu has done a decent job. Thanks to Aashiq for avoiding certain unbearable gimmicks in this movie. We can see the birth of a brilliant director in this movie. The cinematography of the movie was amazing. Certain scenes seem to the camera work of Hollywood films. Khalid has done a remarkable job. Music and background score composed by Rex Vijay and Bijibal was blend with the theme. Editing by Vivek Harshan maintains the thrill and tone of the movie throughout with the same spirit. Viewers could get the feeling of a kim-Ki-Duk film. Rima Kallingal has done a brilliant work in this movie. Tessa.K . Abraham is the most powerful character in her acting career. She had given her best in this movie. Fahad Fazil,as usual delivers his character with that much ease. Fahad should be appreciated for selecting such a gray shaded role without considering image problem as others. The performance of Fahad in the climax scene is worth mentioning. The bible quoting used at the interval is also a brilliant one. The director also used certain surrealistic scenes. On the whole the movie is an extremely innovative one. It breaks all conventional notions. This bold attempt was really a shocking experience to the so called voyeuristic in Kerala. It is also a vital reply for those who always complain about the lack of female centered stories in Kerala. The script of Abhilash and Shyam is bold and sincere one. Climax scenes are the most thrilling part of the film.

Negatives of the movie

The message provided from the film may be misinterpreted. We can’t deny the possibility of misusing such a message. As the other new generation films this film also considers politics and political parties as a problematic thing. There are one or more hints in that film for such reading. Influences of other films are directly visible in certain scenes. A kind of confusion is visible in the film especially in the portrayal of Tessa. K. Abraham. The tone of male chauvinism can be visible in certain parts.

Verdict of the movie

22 Female Kottayam is really a path breaking movie in the Malayalam film industry. It is a bold attempt in this Hippocratic society. A class movie in all sense. Special thanks to Aashiq for avoiding gimmicks which test the patience of sensible viewers. Those who is in search of a good and fresh movie can set your foots to nearby theaters without a second thinking. In brief 22 Female Kottayam is a movie with an extra bone from the director with an extra spine. Everybody should watch this movie in the theater itself and promote it. Such brave attempts should be appreciated. Hats off to Aashiq Abu & crew.