REVIEW: CHATTAKKARI
Dir: Santhosh
Sethumadhavan
Camera: Vinod
Ellampilly
Music: M Jayachandran
Cast: Shamna Kasim,
Hemanth
FACTFILE: Chattakkari was originally made in 1974
by director K S Sethumadhavan, based on Pamman’s novel, scripted by Thoppil
Bhasi. The film was a big hit and was made in Hindi as Julie in the following year. Both the films had Lakshmi in the lead
role of an Anglo Indian girl named Julie. The film was known for its bold
content, intimate scenes and also for its intense emotional content.
The new version has been directed by Sethumadhavan’s son,
Santhosh. Revathy Kalamandir, who seems to have made remaking titillating films
(Neelathamara and Rathinirvedam are earlier examples) a
habit, has evidently gone behind this one for the same reason.
Shamna Kasim plays Julie, while Hemanth gets into Mohan’s
shoes. Harikrishnan plays the silent lover, played by M G Soman in the
original.
THE PLOT: Julie
(Shamna Kasim) is a beautiful Anglo Indian girl, living in a picturesque hill
station with her dad Morris (Innocent), an engine driver, mom Margaret (Suvarna
Mathew) and siblings. Richard (Harikrishnan) is her friend and deeply in love
with her. But she has eyes only for her friend Usha’s brother Sasi Warrier
(Hemanth). The two share some intimate moments and the girl becomes pregnant.
All those nice moments suddenly seem to end, as they have to face some stark
realities of life.
THE REVIEW: It’s
the same old tale with no real difference. No additions to the story and worse
still, the emotional aspects take a backseat. This one has been made to show
the girl in itsy-bitsy costumes and for some intimate scenes. And even on that account,
this one is a disappointment.
Santhosh Sethumadhavan doesn’t show much of a talent, but
Vinod Ellampilly’s visuals and M Jayachandran’s music make this film, watchable
in parts.
Shamna Kasim is good and so is Suvarna Mathew. Innocent is
perhaps the biggest misfit and he repeats his trademark style, trying to pass
it on as Anglo Indian. Hemanth is boring and Harikrishnan has nothing much to
do other than go around in a bicycle.
Watch the original, if you are a genuine movie buff!
RATING:
1.5/5