| Directed by | Sethu |
|---|---|
| Written by | Sethu |
| Produced by | Maniyanpilla Raju |
| Starring | Asif Ali Mamta Mohandas |
| Cinematography | Faiz Siddik |
| Edited by | Jith Joshie |
| Music by | Kedar |
| Production companies | Manian Pillai Raju Productions VSL Film House |
Gist of the Story
A man’s love for his childhood pal puts his connection to his car to the test. The 1983 setting of the Malayalam film centers on a triangle-shaped love affair between a young guy, a woman, and a Maruti 800 car.
Detailed Plot
Mahesh, a renowned auto mechanic in Cheruthoni Thuruth, is the main character in the story. Even after all these years, his family’s debt for the Maruti car has not been paid off. In 1983, when Maruti Suzuki made its debut in India, Mahesh’s dad Padmanabhan (Maniyanpilla Raju) purchased the vehicle. To realize his desire to buy a car, Padmanabhan drives his Maruti 800 to Cheruthoni Thuruth, a fictional hamlet in Kerala. The plot advances as a result of Mahesh’s emotional attachment to the vehicle. Once a former classmate re-enters his life, he is presented with a variety of options, the majority of which result in giving up the car. Will Mahesh choose this route?
Artistes’ Performances
Only Asif Ali’s honest portrayal prevents this movie from becoming a tiring experience. As the protagonist, Asif Ali has performed certain challenging moments. He exudes that warmth, which helps the spectator believe Mahesh’s comparison of the car to himself. The second half of the film’s appearance by Mamta Mohandas shows her in a desirable, attractive, and confident manner, which is essentially what the script called for. Mamta does the part as expected, but you can see there isn’t much going on between both characters. The other actors in the cast, including Maniyanpilla Raju, Shaju Sreedhar, Divya M. Nair, Varun Dhara, etc., did their jobs well.
Direction / Technical Side
The character Mahesh, played by Asif Ali, and his 1984 Maruthi automobile, which his father purchased, keep us intrigued throughout the initial half of the film. Writer and director Sethu was successful in creating a likable character who, but for the way the plot changed in the second half, could have handled the entire film. The plot of Maheshum Marutiyum is intriguing. Nonetheless, several moments appear to have been scripted with the intention of making the audience laugh. Even though the car isn’t given much attention in these moments, it effectively defines the protagonist’s attachment to it. But establishing the hero or his connection with Gauri is an area where the movie stumbles. The conclusion doesn’t seem to be very persuasive either.
The light and cheery frames by Faiz Siddiq uphold the vibe Sethu intends for the film. Although the music was flawless, the scenarios it produced tragically lacked any real depth. The movie’s director, Sethu, who also wrote the script, hasn’t made any attempt to get the audience to consider any turns or twists.
Verdict; Maheshum Marutiyum has a fascinating plot about a Maruti 800 car and its master, but it could have been more interesting with little editing and stronger character development for the main character. The only thing keeping this film from being a tiring experience is Asif Ali’s earnest performance.