Bavuttiyude Namathil Review

For someone who’d expect a film like ‘Pranchiyettan and the Saint’ and ‘Indian Rupee’, ‘Bavuttiyude Naamathil’, scripted and produced by Ranjith and directed by G S Vijayan, may be a bit disappointing. But for those who go watch the movie with an open mind, ready to accept anything without preconceptions, this could be an interesting film.

Quite contrary to the film’s title, it’s not Bavuttiyude who occupies the centre stage. It’s a story of a bunch of characters, all worked out in a good manner by both the director and the writer.

Bavutty (Mammootty) is a driver who works for Sethu (Shankar Ramakrishnan), a very rich guy who dabbles in real estate business and other such deals. In fact Bavutty is more than a driver; he is a trusted lieutenant, a constant companion when Sethu is in Kerala and like a family member. Sethu’s wife Vanaja (Kavya Madhavan) sees Bavutty as her own brother and her two kids too are friendly with him. Mariyambi (Kaniha), the housemaid too shares a good rapport with Bavutty. It’s the kids’ tuition teacher Noorjahan (Rima Kallingal) for whom Bavutty has a fascination and whom he wants to marry; this love story anyhow takes a totally unexpected turn later!!

Bavutty, who is an orphan and who had left the orphanage with Alvi (Harisri Ashokan), his close pal, was picked by Sethu and given a place of prominence in his household and life. While Sethu goes about thinking big and making big money, Bavutty remains a down-to-earth guy who is a do-gooder and loved by people around him. He also finds time to act in the lead role in a home cinema, shot with financial help from Vanaja.
Vanaja, a simple housewife who is not interested in the big things that her husband is doing, loves Sethu immensely and her world is limited to Sethu and their two kids. She is a lovable woman who talks and behaves candidly and exudes warmth. But then, just before half-time something new happens and the story takes off from here…

Mammootty has put in a great performance as Bavutty, but it would be wrong to say that the film belongs to him. It belongs as much to the other artists as to the Mega star, who of course has delivered a real brilliant performance. Kavya Madhavan steals the show with an impressive performance as Vanaja. She just bowls you over with her performance and her Neeleswaram accent. Shankar Ramakrishnan and Harisri Ashokan too impress a lot while Vineeth does a totally different kind of role and leaves a good impression. Kaniha doesn’t have much to do while Rima does her part convincingly. Others are OK with their parts.