The long awaited Rajeev Ravi directorial Thuramukham is finally out in theatres. As you watch the promo’s you can figure out where the film is set in and what the narrative speaks about. Anybody who is quite familiar with his filmography can forecast what sort of films he makes. Rajeev Ravi is someone who is lauded for his non glamorized narrative depictions and always behaves on an incredibly authentic, grounded note. Here in Thuramukham, we get to witness how a workers’ movement actually evolves. Not that the posters or promos are misleading in anyway but this is not quintessential ‘Nivin Pauly starrer film’ if anybody has perceived it to be one seeing the marketing of the film.
The narrative takes place at Kochi’s Mattancherry harbour in the 1940’s and 1950’s within the context of a work stoppage that centers on the arbitrary and inhumane Labour distribution system. And it shouldered by the ambitious cast which brings out some power house performances by Nivin Pauly, Indrajith Sukumaran, Joju George, Sudev Nair, Manikandan Achari, Darshana Rajendran, Nimisha Sajayan, Arjun Ashokan and Poornima Indrajith who comes in a remarkable never seen before avatar (I really wish she does more films).
There is a commonly seen pattern and stereotypes in films set against the backdrop of labor struggles. The leader who betrays the workers and the ordinary laborer’s who sacrifices their lives for these leaders. Whereas here the stereotypes have been reused but representations of trade unions are done right, moreover it is not a crashing bore.
Rajeev Ravi’s films always have a diverse audience. There is always a set of people who has issues with the pacing of a Rajeev Ravi film, and then there are people who doesn’t have that issue. I mostly belong to that latter. My biggest takeaways from film would be the performances and the sheer control that has been exercised over this film. The makers are so sure of itself. It takes the time that it needs to and not a moment feels wasted. And then it is embellished by the career best cinematography of Rajeev Ravi. There is a scene in which Nivin Pauly’s character Moidu S/o Mayammu walks through an alley to meet Ummani, played by Nimisha Sajayan at night and the entire space is shown in moonlight and lamps in front of a few houses. It looked nothing less than phenomenal on screen. Be it the sequences in the prelude which has Joju George, Poornima Indrajith, Manikandan, and Sudev Nair.
It’s been a while since I saw a black and white sequence that is so rich in depth and details compared to a lot of other films which has random sequences which is shot in black and white for the sake of showing a earlier period in the entire narrative. Though I believe this is Rajeev Ravi’s most cinematic film. I was surprised in his use of monochrome in the prelude as he usually prefers it to be as raw as possible but, believe me it all still looks very real! I would watch this again only for those frames. The music by K and Shahabaz Aman and Production Design by Gokuldas is equally and commendable and then there is the perpetual collaboration between Rajeev Ravi and editor B. Ajithkumar works exceptionally here too.
When it comes to negatives I sensed an issue with some of the audio especially when some characters speak, as I found it hard to comprehend some lines. But I’m not pressing too much on it as it could have been an issue of the theatre where I watched it from as it has been happening to me quite often these days. Also I sensed struggle in storytelling in the latter half especially when it comes to the ending arc of Moidu.
But the overall film carries whatever that was meant to be carried through a moving portrayal of human story which manages not to sink itself with a climax which made me teary eyed. There was only a bit of basic information and knowledge that I had on the politically charged Mattancherry firing before watching the film. I’m hoping to read more about it and then rewatch the film. And I hope there isn’t a longer cut of the film which the audience is supposed to see. If there is, please make it happen. This is one solid experience.
