Vivekanandan Viralaanu review: Kamal’s directorial talks about marital rape and ‘Consent’ for sex

Vivekanandan Viralaanu, the latest outing from veteran director Kamal, marks the 100th movie of Malayalam actor Shine Tom Chacko.

Kamal has helmed a film after four long years. In his career spanning over three decades, he helmed many quality movies. This time, he came up with a serious issue.

In Vivekanandan Viralaanu, the veteran filmmaker incorporates many elements and addresses several issues of the new generation.

In the promotional interviews, the director said Vivekanandan Viralaanu is a satirical film and conveys a message.

Let’s check how it goes:

Synopsis

Vivekanandan Viralaanu has a novel theme that discusses marital rape committed by the lead character.

Vivekanandan (Shine Tom Chacko) is a government official working in Kochi. He hails from the hilly Idukki district.

He is married to Sithara (Swasika). But he has a living partner Diana (Grace Antony) in Kochi.

With this brief, the whole story can be understood.

Vivekanandan is a pervert and does not care about consensual sex. He tries to grab the attention of every woman he comes across.

At one point, Sithara and Diana revolt against Vivekanandan with the help of their vlogger-friend Aisha. Soon, the story takes a violent path, and the women take the lead after the interval.

Here, we cannot help but compare the film with Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey (2022).

Vivekanandan is exposed and thrashed by women. This is very unlike the recent Bollywood movie Animal, where Bobby Deol’s character commits marital rape.

Kamal seems inspired by his disciple Aashiq Abu, who directed 22 Female Kottayam (2012). However, the veteran director treads the path of peace at the climax.

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Message-oriented film

Vivekanandan Viralaanu is a message-oriented film that speaks about men who have been committing marital rape. It also speaks about the men who, for their sexual fantasies, start a relationship with women and turn their lives into hell.

Vivekanandan is a person who uses Ayurvedic medicines to improve his libido. But this part has not been conveyed well in the movie as the main plot gets prominence.

One might find the scenes showcasing violence against women quite disturbing, but they are essential for the plot to highlight the intensity of crimes committed against women.

The efforts of women in exposing Vivekanandan are welcoming.

Manju Pillai’s character of Kochammini could have been written better.

The men’s association and women’s association are portrayed in a satiric way.

Kamal’s Manjupoloru Penkutty (2004) had a theme where the female lead plans to kill her stepfather, who abuses her. The film was received well by the critics then.

Here, in Vivekanandan Viralaanu, the director takes a novel step to address the issues faced by women.

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Performances

Shine Tom Chacko is convincing as Vivekanandan, a pervert. While watching the film, you cannot help but feel hatred and disgust for Vivekanandan.

The actor, who often faces criticism for his dialogue delivery, is too good.

Grace Antony as Diana scores among the three female characters. Her performance, especially in the second half, is laudable.

Swasika, as Sithara, is enchanting. She, too, gets more screen space in the latter half. Her despair and confusion after realising the true colours of her husband are conveyed well by the actor.

Mareena, as Aisha, shines in the movie with her brave stand to support her friends who are in trouble.

Johny Antony, as Pappan, the father of Vivekanandan, plays an important role. His scenes in the climax are good.

Sarath Sabha delivers some hilarious moments.

The music by Biji Bal is apt.

The editing by Ranjan Abraham is crisp.

Final take

Vivekanandan Viralaanu is a good attempt by director Kamal. The film focuses on marital rape and underlines the need to seek consent from a woman for sexual activity.

(Views expressed here are personal.)