Basil Joseph has created a great superhero origin story. This Malayalam language film rivals the best in the business, Marvel. The two main characters are quirky and charming at the same time. Ordinary men, they share many similarities but because of different life circumstances each will take different path.
It is Christmas Eve, and a tv journalist is interviewing a scientist regarding a strange phenomenon that will take place that night. The triangular planetary alignment of Mars, Saturn and Jupiter in the same magnetic field will cause powerful thunder and lightning. This will change the lives of Jaison and Shibu in the small, bustling village of Kurukkanmoola when they are both struck by lightning.
Jaison has a dream of making a mark in America with his tailoring skills. He is slightly cocky, fancying himself as fashion forward. He has been in love with Bincy, police chief Saajan’s daughter since high school and plans to marry her. One day, Saajan sees Jaison talking to Bincy and becomes enraged, slapping Jaison and publicly humiliating him. Saajan informs Jaison that Bincy is now engaged to Aneesh. In a later scene, Saajan tells Jaison that there is plenty of work for him in Kurukkanmoola, like cleaning drains, washing toilets, and burying the dead.
Shibu is a social outcast working at the local tea shop. As a child, his mother died, and his father ran away leaving Shibu to fend for himself. Usha, a classmate, was the only person who showed him pity by feeding him and helping him survive. Shibu is obsessed with Usha who had run away from home and marries a truck driver. Several years later, Usha, abandoned by her husband, is back in town living with her brother Daasan. The villagers believe madness rans in Shibu’s family. Consequently, he is lonely and friendless and, for all intents and purposes, invisible.
While recovering from the lightning strike, both men become aware of changes in their bodies. Jaison has powerful strength and incredible speed. Shibu realizes he has telekinetic powers. He practices using them to become more powerful. Josemon, Jaison’s nephew, being an avid comic book reader, is convinced that the lightning strike gave Jaison superpowers. He educates Jaison about American superheroes, their costumes, masks, and their heroics.
Both men decide to try out their powers on the night of the school anniversary program. In a hilarious scene, Jason, in a rooster costume, goes after the whole police department leaving behind his signature, Minnal Murali. Meanwhile, Shibu finds out that Usha needs cash for her young daughter’s urgent operation. He decides to rob the bank when everyone is at the school. The next day, Minnal Murali is blamed for both incidents. This sets up a pattern of Jaison getting blamed for bad Shibu’s deeds.
‘Minnal Murali’ was directed by Basil Joseph and written by Arun Anirudhan and Justin Mathew with abundant humor and heart. I liked the setting of a lively village in rural India, filled with curious neighbors who don’t let anything escape their attention. These villagers love festivals and celebrations. The music score by Sushin Shyam and the songs by Shaan Rahman and Sushin, blend perfectly with the action, moving the story along, and keeping the atmosphere light and cheerful.
Tovino Thomas as Jaison is a handsome young man, filled with confidence for his future. He is a bit self-centered at first but corrects his mistakes along the way. He eventually grows into the superhero he is meant to be. Guru Somasundaram steals the show as villain Shibu. A grown man with the mind of a simple child, Shibu acts impulsively and without remorse. All his emotions are easily seen on his face. Knowing how he survived as a child makes him a sympathetic villain, someone we care about as much as the hero. Unfortunately, Shibu does not have the guidance of a kind adult to teach him right from wrong. The other characters are also well-written. First there is Jaison’s nephew Josemon, a chubby boy with long hair and glasses played by Vasisht Umesh. He excitedly keeps his uncle’s secrets and encourages him. Then, Femina George, affectionately called “Bruce Lee” because she runs a karate school/travel agency, Shelly Kishore as Usha, the object of Shibu’s affection, and P. Balachandran as Varkey, Jaison’s kind and gentle foster father.
‘Minnal Murali’ did not have a theatrical release because of covid. You can catch it on Netflix.
