I don’t like the terms “Mollywood,” “Tollywood,” or their variants. It feels like we are sucking up to a global benchmark called Hollywood. While Hollywood certainly produces gems, that doesn’t necessitate naming every other film industry after it. Art can, and should, have an independent identity.
With that bit of personal venting out of the way, I have to say: among the many sub-industries under the Indian cinema umbrella, the Malayalam film industry is arguably the torchbearer. Fresh off watching Aattam and being amazed by its writing, I sat down to watch Bramayugam on a Friday night after the kids went to bed. I don’t usually watch horror, but a friend assured me there are no jump scares and that the film is more eerie than scary.
This isn’t a spoiler-filled review; I won’t discuss the story at all. I am, however, going to talk about a few production choices and how impactful they were.
First about the plot and writing: The story is set in 17th-century Kerala and is based on folklore. It revolves around just three people in an old mansion. The screenplay is so engaging that you never feel the need for additional characters. The plot itself scores massive points for its tight focus.
Next comes Production Design.From the overgrown, untrimmed grass surrounding the mansion to the decaying interiors, every single shot is equipped with flawless production design. The atmosphere is palpable.
Finally, the acting—especially Mammootty. At the age of 72, the versatility of the characters he is choosing is truly commendable. Kaathal – The Core is another perfect example. He could easily pick roles that elevate his off-screen “superstar” persona, but a true artist doesn’t do that. I dare any of the other “stars” in South Indian cinema to attempt even a fraction of what he is doing as an artist. What the senior actors of the Telugu film industry are doing lately deserves a separate rant entirely.
Overall, Bramayugam is a must-watch.