Debutant director Vysakh presents in `Pokkiri Raja' nothing less that `double bonanza' for lovers of mainstream Malayalam Cinema. Bringing together Mammootty and Prithviraj in equally important roles, he strives to successfully appease and satiate die-hard fans of both these actors in a film that's colourful, entertaining and above all, loud.
`Pokkiri Raja' is the story of two brothers, Raja and Surya, the sons of Madhavan Nair, a teacher with a very good reputation. But family feud, especially between Madhavan Nair's Kunnathu family and the rival Puthiyara family, leads to some unexpected developments and Raja gets arrested for murder, of course one that he did not commit.
This and subsequent developments lead to the straining of relationships between Madhavan Nair and Raja, who then leaves home (after serving his term at the juvenile home) and reaches Madurai, where he becomes a `goonda'. He grows up to become `Pokkiri' Raja, a goonda with his own way. In the meantime Surya also grows up as a tough guy. Madhavan Nair fears that Surya too may follow Raja's path and become a goonda. Hence he sends Surya to Ernakulam, to stay with Surya's sister Rugmini and brother-in-law Sugunan, who is a sub-inspector. Surya lands in trouble after he falls in love with Ashwathi, who is the daughter of City Police Commissioner Rajendra Babu. It's then that Pokkiri Raja turns up and things take a new turn.
The film belongs as much to Mammootty as it belongs to Prithviraj. Mammootty excels as Pokkiri Raja, eliciting loud applause from ardent fans. Prithviraj as Surya gives a power-packed performance. The duo together breathes energy into the film as a whole. Shriya Saran gives ample support as Ashwathi while Nedumudi Venu as Madhavan Nair, Siddique as Rajendra Babu, Suraj Venjaramoodu as Sugunan etc do justice to their roles.
Cinematography by Shaji and slick editing by Mahesh Narayanan happen to be among the highlights of `Pokkiri Raja', a film that goes full pace from the first frame to the last. The songs are all colourfully picturised and well choreographed. Udayakrishna and Sibi.K.Thomas, the scenarist duo, though in a very predictive formulaic stuff, have put in all the ingredients that would go into the making of a full-fledged commercial movie.
Vysakh as a debutant director has made a decent entertainer and the young man is definitely destined to go places in mainstream Malayalam cinema, if he can select more sensible plots. All in all, Pokkiriraja is a full-length entertainer, which will give you your money's worth, if you are not in the type of a thinking serious film buff. A Paisa vasool stuff indeed, for all the lovers of all colourful, mindless racy films!!
