If I had a nickel for every time Tovino Thomas was cast in a film where he got caught up facing an anomaly from the sky, I would have two, which isn't a lot but it's weird that it happened twice. That being said, the Minnal Murali star gave it his all in this film.
Donning a triple role in the movie, A.R.M (Ajayante Randam Moshanam) is predominantly set in the 1990s, with flashbacks to the year 1900 and 1950, where titular character Ajayan is eager to get rid of his grandfather's legacy of being a thief. However, he does bear the trait.
Tovino plays three characters. Kunjikelu, from 1900, is hailed in his village for bringing back an oil lamp statue, made by a neighboring kingdom, from a part of a star that crashed in his village, Haripuram. Maniyan from 1950, who, in contrast with his ancestor, is a skilled thief, hated by his village. And finally, Ajayan, a man who faces the brunt of his grandfather's art of thievery.
Of the three performances, Tovino delivered above and beyond with Maniyan. His portrayal of the character will make one wonder why the actor does not take on more antagonistic roles.
The movie opens with Kunjikelu's goosebump-worthy entrance, riding on a horse, a setting sun as the backdrop, beautifully intertwined with a musical score by Dhibu Ninan Thomas. Throughout the film, the music director perfectly encapsulated the emotions of the scene -- whether it be romantic or action-filled -- he delivered.
Director Jithin Laal, who has for years shadowed multiple directors, being the first assistant director on Ennu Ninte Moideen and Kunjiramayanam, and directed numerous short films, makes a remarkable debut with his feature film. His adept handling of a complex storyline and star-studded cast highlights his talent and marks a promising entry into solo direction.
The supporting cast does not fail, most notably Surabhi Lakshmi (famously known for playing 'Pathu' in the television comedy series, M80 Moosa), who plays Maniyan's wife Manikyam. She beautifully compliments Tovino's Maniyan and plays a loving grandmother to Ajayan, although her parenting style of promoting Ajayan's thieving ways as a child is questionable.
Krithi Shetty, who shot to fame in the Telegu movie Uppena, plays Lekshmi, Ajayan's love interest, and is also a motivation for the main character to prove to his fellow villagers that he is not like his grandfather. Actor-director Basil Joseph, as K. P. Suresh, provides the film a much-needed sprinkle of comedic relief, as Ajayan's sidekick.
Veteran Mollywood actor, Mohanlal, lends his voice at the beginning of the film, credited as the “cosmic creator”.
Other than Tovino's portrayal of Maniyan, which in itself is enough reason to go watch the film, A.R.M also provides stunning parallels between the past and the present – between Maniyan and Ajayan.
With plenty of slow-motion fight scenes for the audience to gobble up on, the sparring sequences provides a Malayalam action movie like all others. But what's a Mollywood movie without them, right?
Final verdict: Tovino should take on more menacing, villain roles.
Film: A.R.M
Language: Malayalam
Director: Jithin Laal
Cast: Tovino Thomas, Krithi Shetty, Basil Joseph, Harish Uthaman, Rohini, Aju Varghese
Rating: 4/5
