Chaaver review: This political thriller is elevated by Kunchacko Boban’s spellbinding performance and technical brilliance

Director Tinu Pappachan’s latest outing, Chaaver (Martyrs or Suicide Attackers), has good expectations as his earlier action thrillers Ajagajantharam (2021) and Swathanthryam Ardharathriyil (2018) were superhits.

However, unlike his previous outings which had fast-paced action sequences, this one has a different formula.

As mentioned by Tinu Pappachan in a pre-release event, the film is an emotional journey of people in a village in Northern Kerala. It deals with their political rivalries and murders. It revolves around a four-member gang involved in the murder of a youngster.

Chaaver is the latest addition to the list of the Malayalam movies that have been shot in Northern Kerala. It has been filmed in Kannur, a politically volatile district.

Synopsis

The film starts with the killing of Kiran (Antony Varghese) by a Left party.

Ashokan (Kunchacko Boban), Musthafa (Manoj KU), Asif (Sajin Golu), and Thomas (RJ Anuroop) — political goons —who get hurt in the process flee in a jeep to their hideout.

Musthafa requests Arun (Arjun Ashokan) — the son of a late veteran Communist party leader — who is pursuing medicine to provide first-aid. Arun obliges as he knows Musthafa too well.

But as the police investigation begins, the goons change their hideouts. As a result, Arun gets stuck with them.

GK, a heavyweight political leader who doesn’t appear in the movie but is only heard (voice by actor-director Ranji Panicker) throughout, orders the killing of Kiran.

The investigation reveals that Kiran was the boyfriend of GK’s daughter. GK is against this relationship as Kiran belonged to a lower caste. The youngster performed Theyyam, a ritual art form found in Kannur and Kasargod districts.

On learning this, Ashokan and his gang realise that GK used them for his personal gain and turn against him.

The rest of the story is about how the gang and other political goons tackle the situation.

Arun’s teacher-mother Devi (Sangeetha Madhavan), who worked for the Left party, plays a crucial role in the plot.

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Political murders

The film showcases how politicians carry out murderers in their strongholds, how they help the murderers get away from the cases, and how they silence the culprits if they turn against them.

In a song sequence, the movie also sheds light on the emotional journey of the family members who lose their men (husbands and sons).

Sadly, the script gives the impression that the Left parties are always on the wrong side, though a reference is made to Right-Wing politics.

Since scriptwriter Joy Mathew, also an actor himself, is a critic of the Left politics, the story is bound to look biased.

Related: 30-foot sand replica of ‘Chaaver’ poster created at Kerala’s Munambam beach

Technical brilliance

The major takeaways of Chaaver are its technical aspects. Tinu Pappachan seems to have been inspired by his mentor Lijo Jose Pellissery to a great extent.

While the movie has a different colour tone, some scenes and sounds — especially in the second half — remind us of Lijo Jose’s Churuli (2021).

The cold-blooded night in the initial scenes has a red tone. The director gives out too many details in most sequences.

It takes at least half an hour for the story to pick up the pace which might bore an ordinary movie-goer.

Mahindra Jeep plays an important role in the film and the scenes inside the vehicle came out really well.

The explosion scene in a well before the interval bang is extremely good.

It’s a visual treat to watch the “Theyyam” performance. The director’s idea to use red as the background colour, since the plot is based on violence, needs to be appreciated.

In the second half, the gunshot sequences keep the audience hooked to their seats.

Cinematographer Jinto George contributed a lot to the movie. He captures the night shots really well.

The songs give an emotional feel to the movie. The background score by Justin George elevates the political thriller to another level.

Kunchako Boban at his best 

Kunchacko Boban gets into the skin of his character, Ashokan. His screen presence is terrific. This is definitely the career-best performance of the actor.

Arjun Ashokan, as Arun, is good. He gets an intense role to perform.

Manoj KU, as Musthafa, is one of the best performances by the actor.

Sangeetha, who mesmerised us all with her role in Chinthavishtayaya Shyamala (1998), is impressive as Devi. However, there should have been more scenes for the actress.

Sajin Gopu and Deepak Parambil are decent.

Final take

Chaaver is an action thriller elevated by brilliant technical aspects and Kunchako Boban’s splendid performance. But the same-old political rivalry fails to excite the audience much.

(Views expressed here are personal.)