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