Vazhiyorakkazhchakal

Vazhiyorakkazhchakal or 'Roadside Spectacles' is a 1987 classic Malayalam movie directed by the legendary filmmaker, Sathyan Anthikkad. The ageless star Parvathy Jayaram served as the highlight of the film with her unparalleled acting skills. This multi-starrer movie featuring the quintessential actors of Malayalam cinema like Mohanlal, Ratheesh, and Ambika along with a strong ensemble cast including Sreekumar, Innocent, Maniyanpilla Raju, Kaviyoor Ponnamma and Bharath Gopi, offers a real treat to fans of Malayalam cinema.

The plot explores a range of human emotions and family dynamics, shedding light on the societal norms set around love, marriage, power, and money, all drawn in the backdrop of Kerala's traditional and socially stratified society during the late 1980s.

The storyline of Vazhiyorakkazhchakal unfolds through interesting twists in the lives of its lead characters, Ashokan (Mohanlal) and Indu (Parvathy), and their intense love for each other. Ashokan, a dutiful son who shoulders the responsibility of looking after his family, the ever-charming heart-throb and a man of principles steals the show with his performance. Sporting a thick moustache with coloured lungi and shirt, Ashokan is the perfect embodiment of the quintessential Malayali youth who needs to navigate his way from carefree youthhood to adult responsibilities, often knitted around familial duties and societal expectancies.

Indu, played by Parvathy, is no less herself. She stole the show with her performance as the dauntless young woman who is unapologetically in love with Ashokan. Despite societal odds and familial pressure, her pursuit for love and truth marks a significant highlight in the story.

Thampuran (Ratheesh), an authoritative landlord who is notorious for his obsession with power and dominance, serve as the perfect foil to Ashokan's character. Ratheesh's impeccable performance makes Thampuran a vividly drawn character, contributing a lot to the film's conflict structure. Ambika, as Vasanthi, delivers an excellent act, crafting an interesting character trajectory in the plot.

Vazhiyorakkazhchakal paints a wide canvas of emotions, with crisply written dialogues and the right amalgamation of drama, humour and romance that Malayalam cinema is known for. The use of traditional Kerala settings, the grandeur of age-old homes, the paddy fields stretching up to the horizon, and the earthy Malayalam dialogue, everything bleeds authenticity.

The catchy and soulful music scored by composers Jerry Amaldev and lyrics penned down by Bichu Thirumala and O.N.V.Kurup provide an endearing touch to the film. Songs like "Kannippenne kanneeril" and "Kayampoo kannil vidarum" have turned to be evergreen hits, still fresh as the morning daisies in the hearts of Malayalis around the world.

Director Sathyan Anthikkad's intricately woven narrative examines the prevailing social and power imbalances in society, woven around the rich tapestry of Kerala’s cultural ethos. The narrative progression of the film is wonderfully balanced with his brilliant storytelling style coupled with compelling character portrayals infusing life into the script.

The movie remains critically acclaimed for the exceptional performances of the cast, particularly Mohanlal and Parvathy whose depiction of the radiant love in rural landscapes has significantly contributed to making the film a Malayalam classic. This originality and authenticity was what set this film apart and helped it achieve a cult-like status in the annals of Malayalam cinema history.

Overall, Vazhiyorakkazhchakal is a total entertainer, and a must-watch for anyone who appreciates nuanced plots, well-etched characters, stellar performances, and timeless music. The fragile but persistent love story would keep the viewers hooked from start to finish and leave you with memories that linger. It is indeed an unforgettable journey through the raw and rustic roads of a traditional Kerala hamlet that emotionally resonates with every viewer - a real tribute to the splendid era of Malayalam cinema.