Aye Auto

Aye Auto is a 1990 comedy-drama film from the Malayalam cinema, helmed by distinguished filmmaker Venu Nagavally. The film showcases a galaxy of Malayalam cinema familiars including Mohanlal, Rekha and Sreenivasan along with others such as Thilakan, M.G Soman, and Jagathy Sreekumar. The film was a commercial success upon release and continues to be a fan-favourite, especially for fans of Malayalam cinema and Mohanlal.

In Aye Auto, Mohanlal plays the highly likeable character of Sudhi, an auto rickshaw driver in the bustling city of Trivandrum. Depicting the everyday life and struggles of an auto rickshaw driver, it portrays Sudhi as a common man endowed with an uncommon virtue of honesty, kindheartedness, and a warm smile that never fails to charm those around him. His character and actions bring to the fore the bedrock values of help and compassion beyond monetary gain. Mohanlal with his impeccable talent and sheer acting brilliance makes Sudhi a character that is endearing and enduring in the heart of the audiences.

The film explores the romance that slowly blossoms between Sudhi and Meenakshi, essayed by Rekha. The daughter of a renowned theatre artist, their worlds couldn't be more distinct in terms of their social backgrounds. The disparity and the societal norms become obstacles in their love story as the society harbors bias and fail to look beyond social status. Over time and through various circumstances the film unfolds the complexities that ensue as Sudhi and Meenakshi navigate the waters of societal mores and their love for each other.

A prominent aspect of Aye Auto which gave it a classic status is its screenplay penned by writer Sreenivasan. The nuanced narrative style and witty, comical lines interspersed with reflective societal commentary highlights his ability to weave heart-warming stories that are also thought-provoking. The film offered ample opportunities for Sreenivasan himself to showcase his acting prowess.

Another contributing factor to the film's success was its melodious soundtrack composed by Raveendran to the soulful lyrics penned by Bichu Thirumala and O.N.V. Kurup. The songs are remembered and cherished even to this day enhancing the film's nostalgic and evergreen appeal. A bit of trivia for cinephiles is that Mohanlal even lent his voice for a song in the film, which later became quite popular.

Subtly touching upon social issues such as poverty, class divide, prejudice, and struggle for livelihood, Aye Auto never takes a preachy tone but instead infuses humor and wit into the narrative making it a balanced and insightful cinematic offering. Furthermore, its depiction of the quintessential life in Kerala, its urban hustle, idyllic rusticity, and the invincible spirit of its people adds an authentic touch to the movie.

In conclusion, Aye Auto is a well-made movie that tickles your funny bone while also making you ponder upon less spoken societal issues. It's a melting pot of comedy, romance, melodrama, social commentary, and above all an engaging story. The characters are relatable and the scenarios quite plausible that one cannot help but empathize and root for them. It is an appealing watch for fans young and old.

With an acclaimed team of writers, actors, directors, and musicians, Aye Auto stands the test of time as a film that is heartwarming, humorous and above all, deeply human. The superb performances rendered by the actors, the skillful direction and storytelling, the mesmerizing music and the overall cinematic ambiance make Aye Auto a fine gem of the Malayalam film industry.