Pookkaalam review: A feel-good entertainer from director Ganesh Raj on family relations

Director Ganesh Raj’s Pookkaalam (Season of Flowers) is based on a real-life incident that happened in Italy. Vijayaraghavan and KPAC Leela played the roles of Ittoop aka Ichhappan and Ichhamma aka Kochuthresiya respectively.

Ittoop, a 100-year-old man, finds a letter that gives hints about his wife Kochuthresiya’s affair a long time ago. A furious Ittoop tries all his ways to get a divorce.

Elsy (Annu Antony), the granddaughter of Ittoop and Kochuthresiya, tries to find the person who wrote the letter. She seeks the help of Jikku Mon (Basil Joseph), the lawyer hired by Ittoop. What happens next forms the crux of the flick.

Complex yet humorous

The movie is a fine blend of old and young actors which is its USP.

Having assisted actor-singer-director Vineeth Sreenivasan, Ganesh Raj knows the pulse of the audience.

In his directorial debut Aanandam (2016), he roped in a group of youngsters. Now, in his second venture (Pookkaalam), he made sure to stay in the industry as a filmmaker.

Interestingly more films showcasing old lovers are being made in recent times. Pranaya Vilasam and Ntikkakkakkoru Premandaarnnu had a similar plot.

Pookkaalam is a tearjerker and at the same time, it has an equal number of lighter moments. It has a complex plot. However, this doesn’t mean it’s difficult to understand the characters.

The movie shows the different periods of the family of Ittoop and Kochuthresiya. It also mentions how they became well off after their rubber company prospers. It shows both the present-day and flashbacks at regular intervals.

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Pookkaalam has a few intense moments and superb humour. Ganesh Raj deserves applause for adding comedy to such an intense plot. Though some comic scenes are forced, they evoke laughter.

Vijayaraghavan’s character isn’t jovial but his sons, daughters and every other person perform humour.

Sarath Sabha as the young priest, Johny Antony as the Kochuthresia’s lawyer, and Basil Joseph as Jikku Mon contribute a lot to the comedy sequences which go down well with the audience.

Human emotions

Though Ittoop’s a big family, nobody tries to address a problem as and when it arises. Instead, they try to cover it up.

Women characters, especially KPAC Leela’s Kochuthresiya, have the utmost importance in the movie.

In the flashback scenes, women are shown as the pillars of Ittoop’s family. Suhasini plays Clara, one of the daughters of Ittoop. Though she was studious, Ittoop likes his sons more than his daughters.

Clara re-enters at a crucial point. Her revelation about some facts that happened a long time ago give a major twist to the story.

But sadly, we can predict the end. The happy ending is what filmmakers seem to be interested in!

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The performances

Vijayaraghavan as the 100-year-old Ittoop is the soul of the movie. The veteran actor’s makeup, voice and mannerisms, especially his commanding power towards his family, are too good.

He did challenging roles in Ekalavyan (1993) and Roudram (2008); this is yet another one.

KPAC Leela is acting after a long time. But she doesn’t hesitate in any scene and gives her best.

Abu Salem as Venu tries something new and gets a lot of screen space.

Young actors, especially the twins, are a smart take by the director.

Basil Joseph and Johny Antony’s comic moments work really well in theatre.

Vineeth Sreenivasan appears as a judge and is one of the most interesting roles played by the actor-singer-producer in his entire career.

Annu Antony as Elsy is good. She gets motivated by Clara (Suhasini) at the end and decides to study hard instead of settling down in life by getting married. Arun Kurien plays her companion.

Technical aspects

Cinematographer Anand C Chandran captures the visuals well and gives us a good experience.

A couple of the songs composed by Sachin Warrier are soothing to hear.

Director Ganesh Raj balances the movie by placing intense moments and comedy scenes in the right proportion to keep us entertained.

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Final Take

Pookkaalam is a feel-good movie that gives importance to family relations. It is an out-and-out entertainer with a unique subject that is rarely discussed.

(Views expressed are personal.)