It is heartening to see a new lot of directors trying to do something interesting in Malayalam cinema. One such newbie is debutant director Swathi Bhaskar whose Malayalam film Currency tries something novel as far as the concept goes.

The film stars Jayasurya in an out and out serious role. The story is about a demented loner and dropout Keshu (Jayasurya). He has an artistic bent of mind and works in a photocopying shop. He wants to learn graphic animation but does not have the resources. His only other interest in life is watching a girl in a bus pass by his shop.

Unknown to others, he has another secret skill -- that of making counterfeit currency notes using the colour photocopying machine. He has a printing press lying idle after his father's death but doesn't have the courage to use this skill until his mother is declared terminally ill. He wishes to use it for buying an expensive Kashmiri shawl for his mother as a birthday gift from the shop where the girl of his fancy is working. Again, he is scared of being caught or putting the girl into trouble. So, he pays for the purchases with genuine notes borrowed from Danny (Mukesh), a drunken antique dealer, whose wallet Keshu returned when it had fallen out of Danny's pocket in his drunken state.

When Keshu returns the money, it is one of his own fake notes. Next morning, he tells the truth to Danny in panic. Initially Danny is angry, and then coerces Keshu to make more notes. Initially they feel jittery to circulate this money. But buoyed by their success, they find the courage to continue. Keshu cannot opt out now. By the interval, Danny is thinking of a scheme that will alleviate their poverty once and for all.

Coming to the performances, Jayasurya does a competent job as Keshu. This may be the first time in his career that he has a role that is completely serious. Mukesh is a good foil for him. Meera is good too.

Though this is Swathi Bhaskar's first feature film, he shows flair and competence. But for some unrealistic blemishes in the second half, he makes his Currency work.

Rediff Rating: