Premam (2015)

Cast : Nivin Pauly, Madonna Sebastian, Sai Pallavi, Anupama Parameshwaran, Krishna Shankar, Shabareesh Verma, Siju Wilson, Alphone Putharen(Cameo)

Plot and Storyline :

Premam is a Malayalam Comedy Drama directed by Alphose Putheraen. it is his second film after Bilingual Neram. The team is basically the same with Nivin in the lead and some added entourage. The lead actresses are new faces.

Premam is the story of George David (played by Nivin), the film captures his different phases of his life from a adolescent to a college thug to a professional, it is a comic outing of his life events , mostly about the three women he meets in the different phases.

The first act begins in school, the year is 1994 and George is just of school and his crush is his tuition mate Mary(played by Anupama). Like all teen boys, George has to fight with a lot of competition to meet Mary. His friends Shambu(played by Shabareesh Verma who is also the Lyricist for many songs in the film) and Koya(played by Krishna Shankar) as usual give all the worthless ideas for the proposal. Al last when he gets a chance to speak to her, she tells him that she is in love with another George and the first act ends there. The first song of the film- Aluva puzhal a love song between Mary and George . One of the most refreshing songs of  the film with superb locations from the backwaters. Even the lyrics were written so well to match the song of the 90's.

The second act of the film is in college , this is where the film begins to be a bit serious and gets some depth. George is the college thug after getting suspended many times, he and his friends Shambu and Koya are the baddies of the college wearing only black shirts and dhotis. George meets Malar (played by Sai Pallavi), he mistakes her as a junior and starts ragging her.  A beautiful friendship starts between them when later becomes love.  Malar choreographs George's Dance I'm the college cultural competition which becomes a hit in the college. After which she leaves home. After a month George finds out that Malar has met with an accident. He goes to meet her and finds out that she has lost all of her memory ( slightly reminded me of Balu Mahendra's -Moondram Pirai). Nivin Pauly convinces us with his acting in these scenes, his grief and anger and silence at the end are beautifully shown. The second act ends with George attending Mary's wedding.

The third and final act is the most funniest in the film sometimes quite sarcastic. George owns a cafe shop with Jojo (played by Siju Wilson) working with him. He meets Celine(played by Madonna) who has a past with George which when received spoils the fun of the film ( u have to watch it, its so funny even now when I think of it). George gets rejected the third time but works out finally when Celine's engagement with his Boyfriend is called off. The film ends with George's wedding where he meets all his old friends including Malar. There is hitch at the end with Maalar, she has remembered all her past but walks out just greeting them. I think from the way they both saw each other it was understood.

Verdict:

There are many kind of film which has come which is similar to Premam , Autograph - directed and acted by Cheran and Vaaranam Aayiram by Gautham Menon. All of which are very serious and too hard hitting. I think only Alphose could pull of such a Breezy light hearted film in the genre.

Though the film doesn't convey a message, there was one on the title song and on the closing sequence " Forgive , forget and don't forget to laugh". I think that's the basic moto of all Malayalam love stories. The film is a visual treat, the songs Malare, and Aluva are a great to watch. The entire film's sequence are so beautiful with rustic locations , the cinematography has an unique style.
I think this is one of Nivin's greatest performances as of now. He convinced in all three roles which he dons and it is believable that he is a 10 std kid as well as a 30 years odd person, his expression as a kid proves to be too real. At last about the leading ladies all three of them even though new faces play their part very well, Mainly Malar who leaves a lasting impact in the film with her simple yet beautiful looks, natural and confident acting.