Review: Pani
The film is a riveting crime drama that has you hooked from the minute it starts.
Film: Pani
Director: Joju George
Cast: Cast: Joju George, Abhinaya, Sagar Surya, Junaiz VP , Seema, Sujith Shankar, Prashanth Alexander, Ranjith Velayudhan, Bobby Kurian, Rinosh George, Jayashanker and Abhaya Hiranmayi.
Music: Vishnu Vijay, Sam CS
Cinematography: Venu ISC, Jinto George
Editor: Manu Antony
Rating: 3.5 stars
Joju George, who has proven his mettle as an actor before, shows that he is equally as good as a writer and a director as well with Pani.
The film, which has already set the cash registers ringing at the Malayalam box office, has now been dubbed in Tamil in such fine fashion that you hardly realise the fact that this is a Malayalam film that you are actually watching.
The film is a riveting crime drama that has you hooked from the minute it starts.
The story takes place in Thrissur, where Giri (Joju George) is a fearless, powerful gangster. Giri has three friends from college who are more like family than friends. Together, the four influential friends own the city. Although Giri is a gangster, he has a conscience. It is in this scenario that two youngsters — Sagar (Don Sebastian) and Junaiz (Siju K T)– who are working as mechanics decide to embark on a life of crime. They decide that that they will be absolutely fearless. What happens then is what Pani is all about.
The film is just a brilliant crime drama that is narrated so well that you forget your world and enter into the world of Giri. The developments that happen are so neatly packaged that you sub-consciously put yourself in Giri’s shoes, wondering what Giri should do next to protect his own. It is only when the film ends, that you realise how involved you have been in the film — a testimony to the fine writing and performances in the film.
Speaking of performances, all actors play their parts to perfection. But it is Joju George as the majestic Giri, unperturbed by any situation, who wins your heart. His presence on screen commands attention and it is a delight to watch his measured moves.
Playing the role of his wife to perfection is actress Abinaya. Bobby Kurian, who plays one of Giri’s closest friends Davi Antoy, also has your heart.
The success of a film is measured by the intensity it is able to generate and for that, the villains have to be as good if not better than the hero.
Sagar Suriya and Junaiz VP, who play the villains in the film, do an outstanding job to ensure that Pani impresses you.
On the technical front, the camera is nothing short of brilliant. There are two cameramen who have worked on this film. Both Venu and Jinto George seem to have put their heart and soul into this film and that has paid off rich rewards for Pani.
Every scene is sharp, clear and a treat to the eyes. Aerial shots have been used judiciously to give audiences a better understanding of developments. It is like the film has had three people instead of one wondering how to narrate a development to you best.
Verdict:
You don’t have to be a genius to guess what the verdict of this one is. This film is a delight to watch and a must watch if you are into crime dramas.
