After watching 'Krithyam: The Mission' directed by Viji Thampy and starring Prithviraj, our hearts are bound to go out to the young actor who is going through a lean phase in his career.
This is Prithviraj's first proper Malayalam release as the main protagonist after "Sathyam" (we have to discount "Albhuthadweep" as he was reduced to playing second fiddle to Pakru aka Ajayan, the dwarf who stole the show).
It is commendable of the veteran director to stick out his head for the struggling actor. But the big question is - does this outlandish project do any good for the poor fellow? The answer has to be an emphatic 'no'.
Yes, "Krithyam", produced by Sasi Ayyanchira, has given Prithviraj his first double role, but the hackneyed approach to story-telling takes the glitter off the gift.
Meet Sandra Punoos (Pavithra), a wannabe writer of crime thrillers (la Agatha Christie, no less) with a troubled past. Once, after a queer road accident, she comes to know that she is terminally ill (not again!) with some indescribable problem in her brains (obviously).
Unable to bear the ultimate reality, our writer hires a professional killer Christy Lopez (Prithviraj No. 1) through the Internet (we never thought hiring killers was so easy) to end her life, as she had imagined in one of her stories. All is well that ends well? Not yet.
Then she gets a second opinion on her brains from a US-returned neurologist (Indrajith in a guest appearance), who says she is curable.
This tale develops more twists than the winding road to Ooty from here onwards, including the popping up of Prithviraj No. 2 as the savior of our damsel in distress.
Prithviraj tries hard to make most out of the role (roles?) of his lifetime. But he looks more a 'Style Icon' aspirant than a menacing killer with a hep beard, gelled hair and designer sunglasses.
Compared to that, the performance of Prithviraj No. 2, as the orphaned, speech-impaired drummer appears a potential Oscar winner!
Pavithra, on the other hand, is consistent with her portrayal of Sandra Punoos. She does not try to do anything drastic or unpredictable. She just plays it safe.
Of the supporting cast, Jagathy Sreekumar and Siddique are dependable and hold their posts well. Jagathy is subdued as Solomon Uncle compared to some over-the-top acting in his last couple of films.
The film, which promises the moon, fails to deliver, especially for Prithviraj.
