Mammootty disappoints

We may cringe at the thought of Mammootty trying his hand at comedy yet again in Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam. But, our cynicism is mixed with enthusiasm because he is in the trusted hands of Sreenivasan (the writer and co-star) in a film supposedly ripped off from a Hollywood flick.

Sadly, what Sreenivasan brings to the table as a writer is -- to put it mildly - very disappointing.

The now popular premise of the coming together of a mafia don and a psychoanalyst is used merely as an excuse for both actors to be in the same film and do their own thing. There is no novelty or freshness to their characters or styles.

The story revolves around a notorious criminal called 'Current Bhargavan' (Mammootty), who has lost confidence and can't pick up a gun or be violent anymore. He forcefully seeks the help of world renowned psychiatrist Dr Shantharam (Sreenivasan), and that is the film's premise. The tale may look good on paper, but its execution leaves our hopes punctured.

The main fault lies with director Joemon, who does nothing inventive with the characters. We are confronted with a stylishly dressed Mammootty and the ever sarcastic Sreenivasan lampooning the psychiatric profession in his repetitive style. Sample this dialogue: "For a psychiatrist, everybody is mad." There are many such gems spread throughout the film, inducing forced chuckles, but never full-throated laughter.

Coming back to the story, it is a waste to seek plausibility in such endeavours, but there are still a few situations that jar despite our low expectations. Bhargavan is infamous for his marijuana cultivation and is suspected to have abducted and killed an honest officer of the Narcotics Department. Yet, he still roams freely about the place.

The other characters just make fleeting appearances. Rahman -- as one of the officers of the Narcotics Department, and Sreenivasan's brother-in-law to be -- makes his presence felt. Sai Kumar as Rahman's chief and Bhargavan's boss goes overboard.

It seems Sreenivasan tried to repeat the success of Udayananu Tharam with Mammootty and failed. We can sense from the beginning that he has put in the effort to better himself as a writer and actor. Maybe a more realistic plot would have worked.

Bhargavacharitham Moonam Khandam gives a false start to this year's Onam celebrations.

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