Malayalam film Manujummel Boys which broke many records at the box office is releasing in Telugu on 6 April 2024. With top Tollywood banners Mythri Movie Makers and Sukumar Writings presenting the film in Telugu, interest levels increased. Let us see what imapct Manjummel Boys created on movie lovers.
Story of Manjummel Boys follows the journey of a group of friends from Kerala who encounter unexpected events during their trip to Guna Caves in Tamil Nadu. Led by Kuttan (Soubin Shahir) and Subhash (Sreenath Bhasi), the Manjummel Boys set out on a holiday to Kodaikanal. On their way back, they decide to visit Guna Caves, famous for being featured in Kamal Haasan's blockbuster film "Gunaa."
However, their joyous excursion takes a dark turn when they are confronted with shocking developments. The story unfolds as they navigate through unforeseen challenges, intertwined with the lives of key characters like tourist guide Dominic (Ramachandra Durairaj), tourist photographer Ratnavel (Vijay Gaura), and local authorities including SI (Vijay Muthu), Forest Range Officer (Mani), Police Officer (Sasi Kumar), and Head Constable (Kathiresan).
Additionally, the group encounters a local seller, Arumugam (George Maryan), whose role adds to the mystery. The reactions and actions of the Manjummel Boys—Sixon (Balu Varghese), Kanna (Ganapathi), Sudhi (Deepak Parambol), Anil (Abhiram Radhakrishnan), Sujith (Arun Kurian), Abhilash (Chandu Salim Kumar), Jinson (Ram Vishnu Reghu), and Prasad (Khalid Rahman)—unfold the rest of the narrative, revealing the interconnectedness of their experiences and the challenges they face.
As the story unfolds, the audience is taken on a thrilling journey that explores friendship, trust, and the resilience of the human spirit in the face of adversity.
The ensemble cast of "Manjummel Boys" delivered remarkable performances, despite being relatively unknown in Tollywood. Actors like Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Balu Varghese, Ganapathy, Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Jean Paul Lal, and Khalid Rahman portrayed their characters with a natural and realistic approach.
They immersed themselves in their roles, avoiding the temptation to overact or dominate scenes. Instead, they focused on delivering authentic expressions and emotions, enhancing the impact of their dialogues. Their chemistry and camaraderie on-screen were palpable, enriching the storytelling experience.
A particularly memorable moment was the appearance of the real Manjummel Boys in the climax during the tug of war sequence. This unexpected cameo added a layer of authenticity and nostalgia, resonating deeply with movie lovers and evoking a sense of excitement and nostalgia. Overall, the performances of the cast elevated the film, making it a memorable and engaging cinematic experience.
Manjummel Boys, written by Chidambaram, draws inspiration from real-life incidents in 2006 and masterfully weaves a captivating tale through its screenplay and direction. The film's opening scenes evoke a sense of nostalgia, particularly with references to Kamal Haasan's "Gunaa" and the song 'Priyatama,' setting the stage for a story rooted in the picturesque backdrop of Manjummel, Ernakulam district, Kerala.
As the narrative unfolds, the film beautifully captures the camaraderie and bonding among the friends during their trip to Kodaikanal, with the interval block effectively setting the stage for the second half. The latter half is filled with intense emotions, showcasing the reactions of various characters like the travel guide, photographer, vendor, and cops in a compelling manner.
Chidambaram skillfully blends childhood scenes of the Manjummel boys with the current context, adding depth to the storytelling. However, despite the intense scenes and impactful dialogues, the narration falls short of reaching its full potential, particularly in taking the emotions to the next level.
Sushin Shyam's music adds a natural flavor and realistic feel to the film, with his background score elevating the scenes and immersing the audience in the story. Shyju Khalid's cinematography is captivating, especially in capturing the natural and scenic locations of Kodaikanal and the Gunaa caves. Vivek Harshan's editing is commendable, though the initial slow pace could be overlooked as it allows for the proper introduction of all characters.
Overall, Manjummel Boys is a well-crafted film with emotional, powerful, and impactful dialogues, complemented by good production values. While it may have missed the mark in some aspects, it remains a memorable cinematic experience that resonates with viewers.
There has been a trend where Telugu super hit movies, when dubbed into other languages, have sometimes not performed well, and similarly, blockbusters from other languages have sometimes failed in the Telugu market. However, it's a positive development that the current audience focuses more on the content and emotion conveyed by a movie, rather than just the language or the actors involved..
It is interesting to observe how the success of movies can vary when they are dubbed into different languages. While some Telugu super hit movies may not perform as well when dubbed into other languages, and vice versa for blockbusters from other languages, it is heartening to see that the audience of current movies is looking beyond language and actors. The focus on content and emotion allows for a broader appreciation of cinema, fostering a more inclusive and diverse film culture. It encourages filmmakers to prioritize storytelling and emotional resonance, which can transcend language barriers and engage viewers from different backgrounds.
Altogether, Manjummel Boys emerges as a gripping survival thriller, greatly enhanced by the impactful, powerful, and natural performances of its cast. Director Chidambaram deserves commendation for his portrayal of the real-life Manjummel Boys, paying them a fitting tribute. With its interesting narration, decent screenplay, and effective direction, Cinejosh awards "Manjummel Boys" a 3-star rating.