Sarvopari Palakkaran

Sarvopari Palakkaran is an intriguing 2017 Malayalam language film, helmed by director Venugopan. The film employs the talents of notable actors such as Anoop Menon, Aparna Balamurali, and Anu Sithara in central roles.

Doused in an inviting palette of luscious Kerala's landscapes, the film embarks on a journey with the protagonist, Jose K Mani (played by Anoop Menon), who is a well-respected Palakkad-based police officer with an uncompromising stance on societal norms and discipline. Jose, often called Sarvopari Palakkaran, believes that his loyalty lies solely with the law, and he is unyielding when it comes to preserving and upholding its sanctity.

Anoop Menon does justice to his character by portraying Jose’s principles and values with subtleness, yet where necessary, he also convincingly brings forth the character’s firm side, highlighting his formidable personality. Jose's firm approach to law and order and a stringent belief system often finds him at odds with the more flexible contemporary views.

However, Jose’s tight-knit world starts to unravel and take a different turn when he crosses paths with two enigmatic women characters, beautifully portrayed by Aparna Balamurali and Anu Sithara. Aparna Balamurali plays the unconventional Anupama, an outspoken advocate for women's rights. Her character challenges Jose's traditional concepts and helps him see a different side of the society that he is so adamantly trying to preserve. Anu Sithara’s character, a soft-spoken woman named Chithra, emanates a quieter strength that is equally compelling and leaves a significant impact on the narrative. Thus, the film explores the diverse perspectives and inherent strength of its female protagonists, without reducing them to one-dimensional characters.

A major portion of Sarvopari Palakkaran is centred around a police investigation that Jose K Mani leads in Mumbai. This mystery unravelling takes the film into more intense territories with some thrilling elements, serving the audience a suspenseful plot full of gripping moments. The director blends these crucial parts of the story with the idyllic backwaters and the hustle-bustle of Mumbai city, making an engaging visual juxtaposition.

While the film focuses on the crime, it doesn’t steal the limelight from the personal journey of the protagonist. The film, in its rooted essence, is a slow-burning drama dealing with Jose's self-realisation and character transformation. The script deftly intertwines the personal with the professional life of Jose and the changes he undergoes as he traverses the sphere from metropolitan Mumbai to serene Palakkad.

Music plays another critical role in Sarvopari Palakkaran, with Bijibal’s soundtracks setting up the appropriate mood throughout the narrative. The melody lingers in the viewer’s mind long after the credits roll, just like the impact of the story.

The film rightly addresses several contemporary issues, offering thought-provoking insights into what appears on the surface to be a conservative society. It examines the complexities of city life and its comparison with a slower-paced life in the rural landscapes of Kerala. The screenplay artfully introduces elements of social criticism without resorting to clichés and didacticism.

Venugopan’s direction, combining with the engaging script and powerful performances, creates an atmosphere that pulls viewers into its intriguing tale. The cinematic experience is further enhanced by the excellent cinematography that beautifully captures the contrasting landscapes of Kerala and Mumbai.

In conclusion, Sarvopari Palakkaran is a gripping tale with impressive performances delivered by its lead actors and skillful execution by its experienced director. This movie is worth watching for anyone interested in slower-paced, thought-provoking, and visually stunning movies that dig into the complexities of societal norms and character transformations. The film successfully intertwines a public service officer's duty to society with his personal journey of self-realisation, offering viewers a vivid portrayal of contemporary Indian society.