Bangalore Days (Malayalam) Movie Review

The movie is a few chapters in the life of three Malayali cousins (also close friends) from their early 20’s until their next step in life – marriage. The charming aspect of the movie is its positive outlook to life at all points. The three protagonists (Kuttan, Ajju and Kunju) have their own problems but the overall tone of the movie is always positive. The three characters are young, lively and wanting to enjoy life. The song before the wedding, the friendly banter in the night before wedding and the scene just before the wedding establishes that they are close and caring friends. Their friendship remains equally important to them even after Kunju’s marriage.

The characterisation of the protagonists and the underlying theme of Kerala culture easily connects with most of the audience. Even minute details like the eating style of Kuttan while in Kunju’s house (Kerala style) has gained prominence by giving a close shot.

Kuttan is someone who is traditional, straight forward, well behaved, confirms to family norms and expects to find a traditional Malayali girl for marriage. He works in IT and gripes that he like many other would start hating it after a while. He needs financial security (talking about different monetary rates with his brother-in-law) and is mature when he urges Ajju against driving when he is angry.

Ajju, on the other hand is a contrast to Kuttan. His parents divorced and with none to answer to, lives life on his own terms. He does what he likes and he is kind of a rebel. He doesn’t like being bossed, questions the traditions and sacrifices (changing surname, giving up MBA) that Kunju follows after getting married. He mocks at the phrase ‘happily ever after’ with a bias against marriage (thinking of his own parents). All this changes when he meets Sarah, a free-spirited, positive woman just like the movie, who shapes Ajju’s life.

Kunju is somewhere mid-way between the characters of Kuttan and Ajju. She is traditional (her indifference to changing name after marriage, her comment : “everyone here likes apple juice” though she likes mango juice etc.), chirpy (taken care even in minute details like she slides over the car door to get into it – after the argument between Ajju and Ashok), smokes to get over the nervousness before marriage, quick mouthed and social (gets friendly with all the neighbouring flat members).

Kunju however manages to redeem her husband of his guilt. Driving car at a high speed is just another example that he has got over his guilt. Having a senior actor as the father of her husband’s former ex-girlfriend adds more heaviness to the grief. Another instance of using the same technique is the choice of the mother’s character of Ajju’s love interest.

In short, an entertaining movie for audience of any age.

Rating: 4/5