Review-----vargam

Movie Vargam

Director Padmakumar

Cinematographer Shyam Dutt

Cast Pritviraj, Vijayarghavan, Renuka Menon, Devan

t’s time to rejoice. After several hiccups, Pritviraj has come of age with Vargam in which he plays a dirty, corrupt and emotionless cop who sees life in its starkest shades. Director Padmakumar has weaved a story of interlocking destines and the film holds you riveted till it lasts.

Solomon Joseph (Priviraj) is a sub inspector who holds the dubious records of several punishment transfers to his credit as he is corrupt looking always for some fast buck which he spends on wine, women and of course a share to the priest (Rajan P.Dev) who brought him up after his own father left him in an orphanage and had another family.

The film opens when Solomon is posted in Rajakkad a hilly area of Idukki district where he makes a lot of money by being hand-in-glove with Vavachan (Vijayaraghavan) a businessman with ganja cultivation. Their arch rival is Ummachan (Devan) an estate owner and a local politician. Solomon crosses swords with Ummachan’s brother Dennis and in a fit of rage, he pounds him to pulp and also frames him in a prostitution case. He bargains with Ummachan but when his plans go awry, Solomon beats Dennis to death, and hides his body.

Soon Solomon is transferred to Badiadaka in Northern most Kasargod district where the area is controlled by Abubacker Haji (Captain Raju) and his son Sherif (Ananthu). In no time Solomon join hands with them in their nefarious activities including trapping a poor Muslim girl Nadia (Renuka Menon). But soon things take a U-turn after natural justice comes Solomon’s way as he is attacked by Haji and his men and is a vegetable in hospital. He realizes all his mistakes and tries to turn a new leaf but Ummachan is back to take revenge for the death of Dennis!

It is Pritviraj as Solomon who is the life and soul of the film. His performance has to be seen to be believed as the actor has improved leaps and bounds into a matured actor with excellent dialogue delivery and body language. The rest of the cast are also impressive and director has to be credited for making no compromises as the film moves at fast pace and technically it is one of the best films in recent times and the camerawork of Shyam Dutt is pleasing.

However the film has shades of Ranjith written Mohanlal classic Devasuram where the reformation of the rowdy is depicted. On the whole, Vargam is a brave film and certainly it is Paisa Vasool entertainment in these hard-up times.