Movie Review: Salt And Pepper – Perfect Blend

Movie Review: Salt And Pepper – Perfect Blend

Salt and Pepper is a simple and colourful movie, that tells a straight forward tale with no complexities to deal with 

On Jul 12, 2011

What is it on a hotel menu that draws your eyes first? Mine are always drawn to  new and interestingly named dishes. These days with every movie hiking up expectations with well-made promotions, people are beginning to frequent theatres again and Salt and Pepper successfully manages to stand out in the crowd with its ‘different name’ and grab the attention of those browsing the list of latest releases.The very first  show of Salt and Pepper was so well packed  showing that people had eagerly anticipated  its release.  Image courtesy: cinespot.net The new crop of directors are churning out interestingly different movies  and Ashiq Abu, the director of Salt and Pepper keeps up  to this new kind of film making. Salt and Pepper is as colourful and interesting as a mixed fruit salad. Every ingredient has been added in the right proportion to give a dish so appetizing that you would end up asking for another serving! From the very beginning to the end, Salt and Pepper stands different in its approach. And how many movies have we seen that really focus on food? I think I would go so far as to say that Salt and Pepper is every food lover’s movie first.  Image courtesy: cinespot.net The movie revolves around Kalidasan an archaeologist played by Lal and Maya a dubbling artist played by Swetha Menon. These total strangers are brought together accidentally by their common love for food and there blossoms a beautiful relationship. Asif Ali plays the role of Lal’s nephew who  comes to stay with him while searching for a job. Mythili plays the role of Swetha Menon’s roommate who falls in love with Asif Ali.

Image courtesy: cinespot.net Lal and Swetha Menon prove themselves as the best choice for the characters and Asif Ali and Mythili were impressive too. However, it was Babu Raj in the role of Lal’s servant who really scored big with his excellent performance.  Image courtesy: cinespot.net BijiBal is one of the new wave music directors wowing his listeners these days with his music and his offering in Salt and Pepper does not disappoint.  The Avial Band also comes up with a catchy number in this movie.  Image courtesy: cinespot.net Salt and Pepper is a simple and colourful movie, that tells a straight forward tale with  no complexities to deal with.  If there was something missing, it was only the lack of great chemistry between Asif Ali and Mythili. But with all that sumptuous food deliciously captured on screen, clean editing and excellent cinematography, Salt and Pepper is  a ‘Do Watch’ movie. Let me go for 7/10 for Salt and pepper.

Salt N Pepper: Viewers Are Enjoying The Treat

Salt N Pepper: Viewers Are Enjoying The Treat

Director Aashiq Abu’s second venture is well on its way to becoming a super hit | 

‘Salt N Pepper’, the second film from director Aashiq Abu, is running to packed houses in theaters all across the state. It is rare that a movie with a food based theme hits the big screen, and that too in a manner so successful. After his debut film ‘Daddy Cool,’ which had mega star Mammooty in the lead, Aashiq Abu has opted for a comparatively lesser star cast for his second film. He explains it away on the uniqueness of the script penned down by first timers Shyam Pushkaran and Dilish Nair.   Image courtesy: cinespot.com “For this kind of a story there is no need for a super star; not only that, but the presence of one might even have harmed the entire story line,” says the young director. The film has Lal in the lead role, portraying the character of ‘Kalidasan,’ a renowned archeologist, and an ardent lover of good food. Swetha Menon, playing the role of ‘Maya,’ a dubbing artiste, is the female lead in the film. It is through their mutual passion for good food that Maya chances to get acquainted with Kalidasan.   Image courtesy: cinespot.com The film, which comes after the highly successful ‘Daddy Cool,’ is bringing a wave of accolades to the young director. But Aasiq Abu has his feet planted firmly on the ground. “When anyone congratulates me on the success of the movie, it is the movie that is taking the praise, and not me. Making a movie is a collective effort where everyone has his or her part to play. I too had a part, as the director, and I am glad that I was able to do my bit to perfection,  he says modestly.

Ashiq Abu (Image courtesy: forumkeralam.com) As a director, Aashiq Abu is not after winning awards or gaining fame. In his own words, the young director’s agenda is to ‘bring quality to commercial films’. After completing his college education at the Maharaja’s College, Cochin, Aashiq Abu worked as an assistant director to Kamal, whom he considers his mentor, for a period of seven years before receiving his big break through with Daddy Cool. “I am extremely grateful to Mammukka for giving me dates for my very first venture after hearing out the film’s story,”  notes Aashiq Abu. The role of director in making the film is the same as that of a cook. He has to mix the ingredients well, cook it up in the optimum heat, add the requisite amounts of salt and pepper to it, and serve it before the audience in an attractive way. The rest is up to the person or persons who taste the food to pass the verdict. Those who have experienced ‘Salt N Pepper’ from the theaters have already given the thumbs up sign to the film, or the dish that the director has prepared and s

Movie Review: Chaappa Kurish Aka Head Or Tails, It’s Your Call

Movie Review: Chaappa Kurish Aka Head Or Tails, It’s Your Call

It is rather sad that a well-made movie like ‘Chaappa Kurish,’ is probably going to be remembered not for its excellent handling of the narrative, interesting plotline or stylish presentation, but rather for the much talked about lip lock between Fahad Fazil and Remya Nambeesan 

On Jul 18, 2011

Sameer Thahir’s Chaappa Kurish is very much a film of today and is all about the current generation. It is a prism showing the different shades of life in the society among the youth of today. And if the director is to show justice to this theme,  he needs to take a rather bold stand. Image Courtesy: facebook.com/ChaappaKurish And one thing that can be said about Chaappa Kurish is that it is shockingly bold. And if you thought the hot lengthy kiss was what the boldness was all about, prepare to be shocked. That is only the beginning. Arjun and Ansari represent two extremes of the society. Arjun played by Fahad Fazil is a handsome professional who dates two girls at a time: one to keep his official work running smoothly and the other an extremely rich girl. Ansari, played by Vineeth Srinivasan is a poor guy who works in a super market  and Niveditha (who played Jayaram’s daughter in the movie Veruthe Oru Bharya) is his love interest, who works with him in the super market. Image Courtesy: facebook.com/ChaappaKurish Sameer Thahir’s directorial venture Chaappa Kurish takes you completely along with its flow. It presents and moves through a plot which is pretty much what every other youngster of today goes through. The movie reaches a turning point the moment Sonia (played  by Remya Nambeesan) learns that Arjun her love is getting engaged to Ann ( Roma). A fight occurs between the two and in the heat of the moment he forgets to take his cell phone which had slipped out of his hand and this incident turns everything upside down.

Image Courtesy: facebook.com/ChaappaKurish Chaappa Kurish while being very stylish in its presentation also has acompletely realistic feel. The music by Rex Vijayan is quite catchy and the BGM score is even better. Jomon T John’s cinematography is a visual delight, the dialogues are punchy without being dramatic and the actors give a subtle performance with Fahad Fazil being the best of the lot. Image Courtesy: facebook.com/ChaappaKurish Even while I say that Chaappa Kurish is an enjoyable watch, I must add that the climax seemed a bit bizarre and the movie was highly influenced by the West in its approach. Also, the latest trend of following the Alejandro Gonzalez style of film making (like in Traffic) seems to be getting a little stale after being seen once too often.  There were also moments when I could find no rhyme or reason behind some of the actions of the characters.However, all the cons pale in comparison to the excellent entertainment value of Chaappa Kurish. And more than  just being an entertaining and psychological thriller, the movie also conveys a strong message to the youth. Sameer Thahir can be happy with his debut venture. Let me go for 7/10 for the Fahad – Vineeth starrer Chaappa Kurish.

Salt 'N' Pepper Movie Review

Salt 'N' Pepper Movie Review

Salt 'N' Pepper Movie Review

Director Aashiq Abu would have realised from his debut film 'Daddy Cool' that the recipe for a winning motion picture is neither a oversize financial plan, arresting locales and a massive star cast. This time with his new 'Salt N Pepper', he has gone for a low cost film that reiterates and restates the fact that content always reigns supreme.

A movie that definitely would fulfil you appetite for fresher themes and executions, the movie have shaped into loafs of superior tastes with the captain of the shop proving that he is a competent storyteller. A movie that makes you smile sporadically, the scripts by Shyam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair isn�t garnished with that much of unpredictability, but the way it is treated is better than its culmination. From the selection of a theme with food as it�s backdrop, to the sequencing of events and assorted characters played by a bunch of gifted actors who do the right trick, the director is in complete control of a movie that may start a trend, in its own terms. At the same time, though the film has the exact running time, it could've done with some sharper editing at places.


The movie has Lal as Kalidasan, a chronic bachelor working in the state Archaeological department. With an only companion in Babu, his cook and housekeeper, Kalidasan is more obsessed with tastes than anything else. Manu Raghav played by Asif Ali is Kalidasan's nephew who arrives into his house in search of a job.

In another corner of the city is a spinster Maya (Shwetha Menon), who had towering aspirations but is currently leading a life as a high profile dubbing artist for movies. She lives a customary, non happening life with her friend Meenakshy (Mythili) as a paying guest in a house which also shelters a beauty parlour( run by kalpana). The movie takes a different turn as kalidasan gets a phone from Maya, thinking that to be a number a food hub. Maya asks for a Thattilkutty Dosa' and the fun begins.

The movie made in a stylish manner has plenty of quality humour that is well integrated into the sequence. The emotional moments and satirical gags are aplenty with many scenes living in our memory. Sure, the pace drops in the second hour, but the proceedings has the power to keep you glued to the seats till the finale in 'Aanakallan' song.


Lal as Lalidasan is the star of the show. He once again proves himself to be a fine actor, and plays his part without overdoing it one bit. Aashiq Abu is sure, not to have find an easy replacement for him, as he does every nuances of the character to perfection. Shwetha is once again in a superb role in which she displays anguish and sorrow with amazing maturity, though her dubbing artist in a couple of scenes fails her from a perfect portrayal. Asif Ali scores with his perfect timing while Mydhili appears right for her role. Baburaj, in a surprisingly simplistic role as Babu is a complete departure from his violence-laden roles

In the technical front, everything is perfect with Shyju Khalid coming up with excellent visuals and V Saajan with effective cuts. The songs by Biji Bal offers pleasant hearing with 'Premikkumbol' sure to emerge as an all- time favourite.

On the whole, 'Salt N Pepper' is a pure and tasty film that should instantaneously strike a chord with the youth mainly. A metro-centric film, 'Salt N Pepper' should attract its target audience, as its distributors have very rightly released the film at select centres of metros and mini-metros, instead of flooding the market with wide release. Mollywood cine lovers, in all probabilities will give this one with genuine and honest efforts, a chance to mature as a welcome hit.

Rating- 7/10

Chappakurisu Movie Review

Chappakurisu Movie Review

Chappakurisu Movie Review



Coming from the makers of 'Traffic', 'Chappa Kurish' is a rare experiment in Mollywood, that is more treated in an offbeat and unusual manner. With a right, contemporary story, that is undeniably merited to be told as its definite highlight, 'Chappa Kurish' is one film that tries to make the characters appear very life-like, very real and in the process makes a narrative that may not be engrossed by an avid moviegoer.

The debut directorial offering from the cinematographer of 'Big B', Samir Thahir, the movie is basically a cat and mouse game between two people living in extremes in the same city, one who is in the run for his name and fortunes and the other who has all the clues about latter in the gadget that is temporarily with him. Fahad Fazil is Arjun, a charming, plotting business man who is trying to get his dream projects done with the help of his subordinates including Sonia(Ramya Nambeeshan). Engaged to bubbly Ann(Roma), he moves in swanky cars with the comfort of colloquial English and new age gadgets and is also rearing a unorthodox surreptitious relation with Sonia, which prepares her to do all the difficult things for him. Meanwhile, Vineeth Sreenivasan is Ansari, a submissive sales boy at the Supermarket, trying hard to find two ends meet with his limited salary. He is always in silent battle with the world outside including his manager who always humiliates him. Rather than fighting them out in the open, Ansari takes pleasure in the silence of his loneliness and also in the company of Abidha, his co - worker at the supermarket. Both these lead men have their own principles and their outlook towards life which are never parallel. How those principles throw a spanner in their lives forms the crux of the story.


The movie has a simple grim storyline credited to the director, on which weaving a movie that lasts two hours is indeed difficult. R Unni and Samir Thahir has just tried to make things somewhat engaging with interesting dialogues and right placements of sub characters. But the problem with the film, if any, lies in its post-interval portions; when you wait for the twists and turns in the story to captivate you, the goings-on get so unsurprising that the impact created at the start of the film disappears into thin air.

A welcome addition to the multiplex films started recently with movies like 'Cocktail, Traffic and 'Salt N Pepper', the movie is constructed as a dark thriller whose execution in the later half become tiresome after a point, leaving one wanting for more. The film takes liberal inspirations from international films like Handphone, wedding dress rehearsal, caricature parents and changing lanes to explicit shades of regional talkies like thiruttu payale and kidnap to stretch it to 130 minutes. The worry of Ansary to feel humane and important at some point of his life and the frustration of Arjun who knows himself to be heading for the greatest trap partly because of his own actions, are narrated under sensible rationale. The movie is told unhurriedly and the slow pace dilutes the impact further for the viewers of regular potboilers.But the film is chick and shot extremely well and technically speaking, a notch above most with top class cinematography by debutante Jomon T john, capturing Kochi in its real shades.


In the acting front Fahad fazil fits the role to a 'T' and makes his father proud with the weightiest role in his career. He easily gets into the skin of the character and forces out the natural, believable breakdown of his character who likes people to dance around his finger tips, making it one of the best performances seen in recent times. Vineeth is ok with Ansari's anguish, helplessness and innocence most of the times and even without many dialogues gives the widest range of emotions. Nivedhitha, the actor who plays Abidha is sure to go heights with her natural emoting capabilities while Ramya, after quite some time, has a better role that may bring her back to commercial limelight and unparallelled heights. Another debutante, Rex Vijayan has created pretty good BGM, that gell well with the movie. He also offers some different appealing tunes for the altogether different movie whose picturization of tracks are also adequate, though the last one seems stretched.

'Chaapa kurishu' defies cliches by not making the rich guy look like a complete villain and the poor guy an innocent hero. Attempting the grey areas that are less explored in Malayalam industry, Samir's movie has characters that evoke our sympathy and anger at the same time. Moreover, the first ever lip lock scenes in commercial Mollywood, where our lead filmmakers usually resort to dissolve to wall posters and waterlilies is, also a stunner with the young crew and the filmmaker showing their boldness and conviction. And believe us, the most realistic, bitter and gory action sequences ever to have made in Mollywood (choreographed by Rajasekhar), is also in store for you towards the climax of 'Chappakurish'.

At the box-office, 'Chappa Kurish', with support from its intense promotions may fare as an average grosser. The generous dose of skin show sequence, violent action and the need for a more tighter scripts will tell on its business and restrict its appeal further to limited audiences. A must see for all those who like experiments and extremes in Mollywood.

Rating: 5/10

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