Gulf News

One for hardcore Mohanlal fans

Brace for some amateurish comedy and sexist jokes

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A telephone call from California’s Sunny Kurishinga­l ( a marketing campaigner of Republican candidate John Kory) to his friend, minister Francis Kunjappan in God’s Own Country, Kerala, sets Peruchazhi rolling.

Kurishinga­l ( Vijay Babu) requests Kunjappan ( Mukesh) to send someone over to help him improve Kory’s chances at becoming a Governor. Kory’s opponent is Democratic candidate George Hope. Much against his wishes, Kunjappan sends the wily Jagannatha­n ( Mohanlal), who becomes a political consultant in Kurishinga­l’s campaign. Accompanyi­ng Jagannatha­n on his USA mission are his two sidekicks, Jabbar ( Baburaj) and Varkey ( Aju Verghese).

Director Arun Vaidyanath­an’s story is unpretenti­ous as it takes a dig at Indian politics, Malayalis in particular, aswell as American politics. Not to forget the Chinese and their finesse in duplicatin­g products.

Viewers are clearlywar­ned when the screen opens to leave logic behind.

So, you have Kory gallivanti­ng onscreen as a dumb clown while Jagannatha­n and his two aides go about tickling your funny bone. Be prepared for some amateurish comedy, sexist jokes and toilet humour, and a good sprinking of double entendres.

While Peruchazhi is an out- and- out entertaine­r with Mohanlal ruling the scenes, it cannot be counted among his great comedies. Celebratin­g Mohanlal’s career are references to his hits of the ’ 80s and ’ 90s. Watch out for Poonam Bajwa’s item number, Po Mone

Dinesha, with Mohanlal’s quick moves. Of course, our wily bandicoot, ( Peruchazhi, Jagannatha­n’s nickname) has a heart of gold for the less privileged when it comes to sports.

DEFYING LOGIC

Mohanlal fans can rave over his antics, including his knack for turning the US flag into a

dhoti ( sarongworn by men) in his inimitable style and bashing up bad guys. So munch on popcorn in between chuckles and just don’t ask questions.

Mukesh as minister Kunjappan plays the role to the hilt. Another impressive performanc­e is from producer Babu as Kurishinga­l. English actor Sean James Sutton as Kory entertains. Bollywood’s beautiful Ragini Nandwani keeps romance alive as Jesse the prostitute who wins Jagannatha­n’s heart. Ramesh Pisharody, Baburaj and Verghese in supporting roles dowell.

However, the screenplay could have been worked on for a better satire. That’s where the director of Tamil film

Achchamund­u Achchamund­u

disappoint­s.

 ?? Photos courtesy Nikil Murugan and courtesy Mythily Ramachandr­an ?? Fromleft: Aju Verghese, Mohanlal, Vijay Babu and Baburaj in Peruchazhi.
Photos courtesy Nikil Murugan and courtesy Mythily Ramachandr­an Fromleft: Aju Verghese, Mohanlal, Vijay Babu and Baburaj in Peruchazhi.

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