Marakkar HD Released

 

Kunjali Marakkar IV is roped in by the Zamorin to head his fleet in the fight against the Portuguese, but is thwarted by backstabbing by local leaders

For a lot of people who grew up watching Priyadarshan and Mohanlal films over almost four decades, it might almost seem treason to say that the iconic partnership has created something that is below par. After all, a couple of not great ones such as Kakkakuyil and Oru Marubhoomikkadha notwithstanding, they have given us hugely entertaining films, from Boeing Boeing, TP Balagopalan MA, Vellanakalude Nadu, Kilukkam, Midhunam and even the historical drama Kaalapani, which though it had some unsophisticated moments, stirred deep emotions.

So when Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, the story about legendary 16th century sea warrior and admiral of the Zamorin’s fleet Kunjali Marakkar IV who stood up to the Portuguese, is announced as the director’s magnum opus, it is almost as if he has put the burden of expectation on you. Added to which, the cast includes some of the most esteemed names in the south film industry, from Prabhu, Arjun Sarja and Manju Warrier to youngsters Pranav, Keerthy Suresh and Kalyani, apart from a whole host of other talented names.

What do you expect to see? The big-screen blazing with stunning, epic battles at sea and marvellous characters making us weep with emotion over how they heroically tried to protect our land from foreign invasion. However, the film falls short on both counts.

The story starts beautifully, almost achingly, with a memory of a mother and a hand feeling the water; almost in Ridley Scott’s famous Gladiator-style opening.

A young Kunjali, played by Pranav, is forced to grow up fast when some political backstabbing, prompted by the Portuguese causes him to lose his family. It is this anger and the injustice that he sees in the land that makes him hit back and gives him a shadowy power, now as Marakkar (Mohanlal), that local leaders fear. But when the Zamorin wants to resist the foreigners, trusted advisor and leader of his army Mangattachan, suggests that they rope him in.

What follows is the sole sea battle. And while we get the usual history lesson of how our local rulers, feeling thwarted, work against and constantly backstab each other, causing our land to lose heavily, it fails to rouse emotions. Maybe because with so many stars, we don’t feel attached to particular characters and the sad fate that befalls them, or maybe even thanks to the romance between the daughter (Keerthy Suresh) of the king’s ally and a Chinese warrior in Marakkar’s ranks. This is meant to further the story, but feels like such a misfit and so lacking in chemistry, that it blows up in the film’s face.

There is another final battle scene between the Portuguese and Marakkar’s forces, before things unravel further for the latter, with betrayal followed by more betrayal, by local so-called allies. There are only a few scenes with the Portuguese - and one of them is impossibly bizarre, and one where a general is insulted with a modern swear word - that the cause of the story feels diluted.

Apparently, there are hardly any historic records of Marakkar, so the story is built around the history and stories of the time. While this must be difficult, the film falls short in capturing what there are records of; the architecture, landscape and clothes, for example. The story almost looks like it is set in Afghanistan, with the bleak region where Marakkar’s fort is set and the Pathan-style clothes and hairstyles, which feels jarring, though the film won the National Award for Best Costume Design.

Cinematography Thirru does a great job with capturing the sea battle with the proper tension and beauty. Mohanlal is agile as Marakkar, carrying off the fighting scenes well, but doesn’t stir the passions required from a role and a movie such as this. The music blends well with the scenes, without trying to be overly dramatic. Editor MS Aiyyappan Nair does a good job of moving the important scenes along seamlessly.

While you wish there was more thought put into it, if you are a die-hard history buff and feeling patriotic, you could watch it.