‘Anuraga’ is a refreshing rom-com
Twenty-five year-old first-time director Khalid Rahman wins many viewers’ hearts with a fresh story that refuses to fall into the regular trap of a romantic comedy. Risk-taking Anuraga Karikkin Vellam rides on the marvellous performances of not just the leads but every actor doing his bit in the story. Living up to its title, the film gives a cool rush like tender coconut water.
The film opens with a father and son talking about their love lives and wondering why women behave the way they do.
Raghu (Biju Menon) is a policeman, who has a reputation for his harsh ways while disciplining those arrested. Stern and barely smiling, Raghu is much feared — not just at work but at home too. His wife, Suma, (Asha Sharath) is a homemaker toiling all day long for the family. Their son Abhi (Asif Ali) is an architect graduate and their daughter is still in school. Abhi, although working in a start-up company, is dissatisfied.
He is in a relationship with his college mate Elizabeth/Eli (Rajisha Vijayan), a vivacious young woman who loves him to the point of stalking him all the time on her mobile phone. Abhi is not happy with her clingy nature and he decides to break off the relationship.
Around the same time, Raghu’s life finds a trigger for joy after he notices Anuradha (Nandini), his lover from the past, driving in a car across the road. With the resurgence of old fond memories Raghu is now keen on meeting her. Does Raghu find the spark of love once again? How is Eli’s life after the break-up? Naveen Bhaskar, a former sub editor at Malayalam Manorama scripted this story. It’s his first as an independent story writer after writing the dialogues for Malayalam film Monsoon Mangoes. Bhaskar said that this story grew from experiences from his and his friends’ lives. Anuraga Karikkin Vellam has several laugh aloud moments, and the middle-class setting is real and will connect with the audience. It’s another brilliant performance from Menon after Vellimoonga, revealing another facet to his acting prowess. His onscreen chemistry with Sharath is a treat to watch. Sharath pushes the image of the strong policewoman from Drishyam behind her as she steps into the garb of Suma, an ordinary wife who loves her family.