The trailer had aroused a lot of curiosity as to how Ranjith would mould demonitization issue into a story. But as the movie rolls into its second half, we realise it has hardly got anything to do with that issue. In 'Puthanpanam' we can find a mishmash of familiar movies like 'Big B' or 'Loham'. And as the movie ends it fails to meet the expectations.
'Puthanpanam' has too many things working against it. A thin plot that meanders, a cast underutilized, a gun story that is too stretched and Ranjith not at his best. For non-Kasargode people, the dialect may sound fine and we would applaud Mammootty's efforts. But ask anybody from Kasargode and they will frown.
The first half does talk about demonitization. Mammootty plays a don like character with illegal businesses. The money roll back affects him because of some people who cross him. The second half has him chasing them and strangely a run after a gun. We do have Mammootty's style and heroisms, but the plot is too lame and the characters loose their steam.
Mammootty does well as Nithyananda Shenoy. He is in his element. But the characterisation suffers here and there, which affects Mammootty's portryal. Also some bad editing and camera in the fight sequence creates a bad impression. The female cast of Ineya and Niranjana has done well too. The rest of cast including Mammokoya, Suresh Krishna and others have done well. So have the villains.
The camera work is good enough barring some sequences like the one mentioned above. Editing could have been better. Ranjith's craft is sound but his creativity has flattered in 'Puthanpanam'. 'Leela', his previous outing had drawn a lot of criticisms. He has not been able to lift himself with his Mammootty movie.
With 'Great Father' also in theatres, it wouldn't be surprising if everyone picks that over 'Puthanpanam'and rightly so. Though interesting in patches, this one is just an average fare.
