Mamangam HD Released

"We aren't meant to live as slaves. Our tradition is to die as warriors," says an elderly member of a Valluvakonathiri family as they debate among themselves if they have to send the remaining two sons of Chandroth family as chaverukal for the next Mamangam. And then, when the two from the Chandroth family are already on their quest, another elderly member, who had tried the same feat and failed, tells them, "This wish to sacrifice their own sons to protect their tradition has become an undying quest for those in Valluvanadu." Mamangam, the movie, swings between these two alternating emotions.


The film, directed by M Padmakumar, is a drama punctuated by two action sequences. Set against the backdrop of the Mamangam festival held in the 17th and 18th centuries at Thirunavaya, the film tells the story of Chaverukal (suicide squads) as they try to kill the Zamorin ruler and reclaim what is rightfully theirs.


The story follows two members from the Chandroth family of Valluvanadu, ably and intensely portrayed by Unni Mukundan and Master Achuthan, as they set out on their quest in what could be the final attack against the Zamorins. But are the two enough to overcome the odds?


While Mamangam is billed as a big budget movie and the makers have evidently splurged some bucks on those sets for the action scenes, the bulk of the movie rides on dialogues. That's why the many expecting it to be filled with action scenes with Mammootty are bound to feel let down. In fact, the megastar's screen time is limited and his best portions come when he carries off an effeminate avatar. His gravity-defying leaps might be a turn off in the beginning, but at least the makers put in extra effort to explain that in the latter half.


Shankar Ramakrishnan's dialogues are heavy, and after a point it becomes over indulgent. The screenplay is also lumbering and this becomes clear when the death of a foreign merchant has three different explanations, with the third one spilling over to the second half. That should have been a clear sign that the instead of digressing and focusing on the details, the director should have just kept it short and made it more engaging.


Master Achuthan gets points for his action scenes, especially the one at the end which he carries off all by himself. Unni too maintains a stoic look throughout the film, lending authenticity to his role. Siddique as the Zamorin advisor and Prachi Tehlan as the courtesan Unnimaya, who aids the Chaaverukal, play their limited parts well but don't leave a strong impact.


M Jayachandran's music is good and Sachit and Ankit Balhara's background score complements the proceedings. However, the drama does feel like a lost opportunity, considering the talent that was on offer, the stories they could have mined and fictional elements they could have inculcated, while making it a festive release.