Silence

Silence, also known as The Silence in its English version, is a 2013 Indian Malayalam suspense thriller film directed by V. K. Prakash. The stellar cast includes eminent personalities of the Indian cinema like P. Balachandran, Prakash Bare, and Balachandran Chullikadu.

The narrative of Silence is set primarily in a popular metropolitan city where the juxtaposition of rapid progress and rising crime rates is evident. The movie gradually reveals a web of interconnected events and captures the essence of human relationships, manipulated emotions, and suppressed turmoil in a city life backdrop.

Silence unveils through the perspective of Arvind Chandrasekhar, portrayed with finesse by Mammootty. Arvind is a top lawyer in a corporate law firm who enjoys a reputation of being suave, clever, and highly successful. He is seen as a loving husband living a peaceful, perfect life until it takes a sudden shift. The movie initiates with an unexpected twist when Arvind is called in to defend a high-profile case concerning a businessman consciously portrayed by Prakash Bare.

The setting of the movie becomes more unsettling and intense as a lifeless body is found on the city streets of Cochin. The deceased is reported to be an eminent scientist. These matters intertwine when characters portrayed by P. Balachandran and Balachandran Chullikadu come into play due to their connections with the deceased scientist and the ongoing high-profile case.

P. Balachandran presents an intriguing character in a pivotal role with layers that peel off and connect with other elements of the plot as the narrative progresses. Similarly, Balachandran Chullikad plays a character that becomes entangled in the webs of deception and crime.

The performances are commendable and enticing, adding an extra edge to the thriller. While Prakash Bare manages to embody his calculated businessman character to perfection, P. Balachandran and Balachandran Chullikadu bring authenticity and depth to their roles.

Prakash effectively uses an omniscient point of view to build tension in Silence. With the city's police force racing against time to solve the murder, Arvind's life becomes more complicated. As a lawyer, he is stuck in the crux of morality and law. The direction takes several unconventional turns, adding to the suspense and intrigue.

In Silence, director V.K. Prakash successfully weaves a potent mix of suspense and drama. The film effectively explores the human psyche, relationships, and the lengths to which one can go to hide a truth. There's a prominent sense of an unseen oppressor looming overhead throughout the movie, creating an atmosphere that resonates with the thrill and suspense genre.

Silence takes the audience on a journey where they become engrossed in the narrative and highly invested in the characters’ destinies. The film's plot's intricacy is its heart, as each twist and turn pushes viewers to the edge of their seats. The screenplay is well framed, and the cinematography done by Shehnard Jalal creates an eerie ambience that adds another layer to the thrilling storyline that gradually unfolds.

Various themes are touched upon in the film - professional integrity, personal loyalty, and the drastic measures people often take when pushed into a corner. Silence encapsulates the essence of a classic thriller, keeping the viewers guessing until the very end, maintaining a continual state of suspense.

The background score and music composed by Ratheesh Vega complements the narrative, adding to the mysterious atmosphere. Optionally, one can view the film as a social commentary on the rampant corruption and societal pressure within the urban environments like the corporate world, law & order system, and science & research community.

Overall, Silence is an intelligent thriller with suspense elements woven into the plot seemlessly. It's a must-watch for those who love psychological thrillers with an intriguing storyline, believable performances, and a revelation that keeps one guessing. Notably, the film's portrayal of characters with their imperfections and trials, the challenges they face, and how it all ties in the end to serve justice, is undoubtedly what makes Silence an engaging watch.