Ashirvad Films and Confident group produce this big budget Malayalam film that is written and directed by ace director Priyadarshan. This much hyped film from an idea to release took almost 25 years.

A tepid start and the ingress of characters periodically makes it an ordeal to get involved with the proceedings. The perfunctory plot, formulized storyline and a rather penny plain screenplay makes for a very bog-standard script that barely manages to survive on the back of a strong production design and lack of emotions Perhaps there was little literature on this purported first freedom fighter on whom the film was based and hence the add-ons in the name of love, humour and friendship all feel ostensible. If only the makers had invested more in the script and not just the art and craft, the response would not have been stolid indifference.

Mohanlal looks and walks around like a sleeping giant. Arjun is the pick of the lot. Prabhu is puerile. Pranav Mohanlal is a novice. Keerthy suresh is neat and Suneil shetty and Manju Warrier have little scope. The supporting cast led by Nedumudi Venu are okay.

Tirru’s cinematography is top notch. Rahul Raj’s background score is heavily inspired. Aiyappan Nair’s editing is weak. Art by Sabu Cyril is brilliant.The dialogues are modern and ridiculous to say the least while the direction is poor.

MARAKKAR: LION OF THE ARABIAN SEA ends up as a funny cocktail of an Asian alliance against an European country.

MARAKKAR – MOCKERY !!

2/5

B.U.Shreesha