2022, Malayalam, Amazon, 8/10 IMDB, Directed by Kamal. K.M
An enthralling work that jolts the viewers with its presentation and grippy narration. The thriller backed by true incidents, leaves the viewers utterly astonished through its edgy screenplay and impressive performances.
The opening sequence of the film, hints the real life incident that the film intends to illustrate. A hostage situation by the group that sympathizes with the tribal community, demanding to revoke the amendment of the tribal act. The interesting premise is paired with a screenplay that tries to set the right mood and it devours you with its story-telling skills.
The makers of the movie, holds the attention of the viewers, the key being the sequences involving the mysterious planning and execution. The character establishment sequences, beautifully crosses path with all the five characters.
The expectations rockets for their plan to unfold and when it does, the panic stricken actors perfectly deliver the complex shot-compositions. The clumsiness and the chaotic hostage situation at the District Collector’s Office, is a fine reflection of the unpreparedness of the rebels.
The intercuts of the official decision-making lags, at the Chief Secretary’s office and the huge police force trying to bring the situation under control, adds to the momentum. The fierce looking country bombs, tubes and wires tied to the Collector, threatens the entire police force and the eeriness resonates with the viewers as well . The irony of the fear in the eyes of the people who stage the hostage drama, being explicitly greater than that of the Collector’s, is a brilliant choreography. It lets the audience weigh the efforts taken by these innocent protestors, risking their lives and livelihood.
The maker’s intention of bringing the unresolved issue of the tribal people in to mainstream, is commendable. As the tribal land right’s status is no different from what it was quarter a century back when the incident happened, the film reinvigorates the issue and by doing so it is a new rebellion in itself. To awaken the viewers on how lives are being taken granted for, the film toils to represent the living standards of the tribal community, through the hilly walks of Kallar Bala’s family.
The Tamil movie ‘Thaen’, which translates ‘Honey’, is also based on true events and addressed similar tribal issues. But what Pada achieves is to revisit the anger of the group that staged their hostage drama. ‘Ayyankali Pada’, took the government laws to circumvent the High Court order in reclaiming the tribal land and evicting the Aadhivasis, to public conscience, the movie ‘Pada’ almost does the same, except it is also a reminder to the next gen law makers and the country’s youth. The film’s intention indirectly fights the hugely funded global projects that is evicting the Aadhivasis and to speed up the enactment of tribal rights reforms.
The actors playing the key roles, demonstrate courage and professional traits in choosing to be a part of the film. Balu Kallar’s role played by the fantastic Vinayakan, Kunchacko Boban as Rakesh Kanhangad and the IAS offier played by Arjun Radhakrishnan leaves a huge impact long after the film’s credits role.
Must watch.