“We travel, some of us forever, to seek other states, other lives, other souls.” - Anias Nin
I just had a long weekend recently which means I have got some time to pen one of the pieces that I have been waiting to share. By now you already know what this blog post is about. Yes, Here we are for another movie review or just another episode of Anthea gushing about a movie she recently saw. Manjummel Boys, the movie that swept each one of us alike. First it was just another Malayalam Film turned into a blockbuster hit and, in a week, the flick just grew on us, making it personal for each one of us. All of us were somehow physically one among the eleven venturing the queen of hills and at times the “brand ambassador” of the film while pushing every individual we know to make sure they watch the movie.
It still amazes me, most of us were already familiar with the plot and how it was supposed to end yet stayed clinging on to our seats with our eyeballs almost coming off. I agree, I have had some of the best movie experiences, but this one hit me differently. The picture made my blood run cold and even after days of walking out from the theater, I was still stuck with the eleven. If “disturbed” and “traumatized” weren't such negative words, I would have used them to describe my mental state then. The movie has become one of my favourites till date, but I can never dare to watch it again. I even remember messaging one of my students about my experience watching the film and my literal statement was, “I am still not out of it”, whether it is the pit or the plot, I don’t care contemplating. In other words, Chidamdaram as a director has succeeded and deserves all the praises he is gaining today.
A few weeks back the weekend after Women’s Day was our movie night out. I was requesting my mother to let me watch Por which was also screened then in theatres but due to the sudden changes in plans and my dad’s surprising excitement towards Manjummel Boys ended up with my mother securing four tickets that night. My dad hardly suggests movies especially when it's Kollywood so when he does, well we have to. We opted for the 10:30 pm show so I had a quick dinner and slid a T-Shirt from my dad’s clothes pile to design my comfy outfit of the day or maybe night.
When making myself comfortable in my seat, I had zero idea about the cast, the director or had the least expectations. Above all, I didn’t know what I had signed myself for that night.
The Movie (Spoilers Alert)
If you have not watched the movie in the theatre, it doesn’t matter. The N number of reels that kept popping on our Instagram feeds for the past weeks are enough spoilers to the movie. The storyline is pretty simple, based on the true incident in 2006, the movie showcases the story of eleven individuals who go on a trip to Kodaikanal. The most awaited vacation soon becomes a near death experience.
The movie begins with an introductory clip in a wedding where we get a glimpse of eleven individuals hailing from Manjummel and their domestic lifestyle. The men in the gang have their individuality due to different circumstances and occupations they belong to yet rooted together in friendship. Like every one of us, the team has been planning for a trip together for ages but could never make it happen. Prasad (Khalid Rahman), a travel driver, gets reconnected with his friend at the wedding and his profession as a driver triggers the buddies and makes it feasible for the trip. Sudeesh (Deepak Parambol), one of the seemingly mature friends, takes the initiative to bring everyone together and fix a destination. The plan initially begins at Goa and after numerous calls, cancellations, disagreements and considerations, it tones down to Kodaikanal.
The gang at their peak of excitement set off to Kodaikanal. Like every other bachelors’ trip, we find the men making the best of the time strolling up and down the hills, having their own gala, drinking, screaming and dancing. The movie also acts as a homage to Gunaa (1991), an Indian Tamil language film starring Kamal Hassan. For almost half an hour, we get to reminisce about the moments cherished the last time we visited the queen of hills. Whether it be a decade ago or a week ago, we still find her familiar. In case you have not visited, no worries, the boys almost stop at every possible tourist spot that gets us accustomed to the place. After enjoying the remarkable journey, the boys almost wrap the trip when one of them gets reminded of the Guna Caves, one of the prime tourists’ spots and the iconic location where the ever-green film and the classic hit, “Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan Song” was filmed. The others immediately get hyped and insist on visiting the cave before they get down the hill.
Guna Cave in its magnificence is right before the men as they grab the steel bars and stare at the 2230 meters pit. Known as the highest point of Kodaikanal, Guna Cave does flaunt her beauty and allure the men to step inside. Looking at a few adolescents walking out from a crooked path, it is obvious for the protagonists to take their steps into the steep and venture into the cave. A few meters in, the boys reach the place where the movie was said to be filmed. As they look around the most awaited suspense of action takes place; one of the friends slips and falls into the pit. Here is where we are supposed to glorify the direction. Though we were waiting for the fall to happen, as an audience we turned pale. For a few seconds there is silence, when the friends try to recollect what has just happened, we take a moment to come to our senses. Subhash (Sreenath Bhasi), the least interested one or the last addition to the gang during the trip, is the one lying 200 meters away from his friends. Things become chaotic as the friends try to find every possible way to help. A few decide to inform the situation to the police and request for help when the others remain near the hole screaming their lungs out. A tourist guide and a shopkeeper come as an aid but can hardly be of any help. Both narrate the eerie history of the cave which jolts the friends and audience alike. They narrate the tale of how the cave was originally called “The Devil’s Kitchen” by the Britishers as it devoured many visitors without a trace. Things keep getting twisted with the police, nature and fate being against the eleven.
As we dwell in pity, there is a throwback to how these friends are rooted together since childhood. When least expected, Chidabaram succeeds in startling us with the screen immediately shifting to Subhash falling and lying unconscious. Here is where I lost my wits and never regained it. Seeing the young men determined to save their friend, the police decide to try and help. The efforts taken by the police seem to be fictitious and hopeless. Though we tend to blame the police for their irrational behavior, the director keeps it real and candid in places like these; making us understand the plight of the firefighters. During the rescue, the friends keep trying to interact with Subhash, but it is of no use. After a number of failed attempts, the team almost gives up. At last, Sixen (Balu Varghese) gives his loudest final cry, which awakens the lost soul, Subhash murmurs back.
Now, we are almost there. The crew suggests a man to get into the pit, to which the service men decline and finally one of the friends takes the most unexpected leap for friendship. Kuttan (Soubin Shahir) decides to step up. The rest of the rescue process and how Subhash gets pulled out is pure magic of the cinematography. From the most celebrated scene of the friends pulling both Kuttan and Subhash with the lines, “Manithar unarndhukolla ithu manitha kaadhal alla, Athaiyum thaandi punithamanathu” playing in the back to the little details we find till the end credits is what makes the movie worth as a blockbuster.
Highlights of the Movie
A True Tale of Friendship
After watching the movie, like everyone else I became very curious to know the backstory and the real Manjummel boys. I surfed the internet and found a few articles relevant and spent most of the night reading it in amusement. A few days later, I stumbled upon video clips and interviews of victims sharing their experience. Adding to the gripping narrative, onpoint directing, acting and screenplay, it was the true tale of friendship that made the entire movie special. I remember the director stating in one of his interviews, how the victims were still traumatized and found it difficult to share their experience even after a decade.
Obviously, I still wonder how I would have handled the situation if I was Subhash or David. I used to have discussions with my mom and sister about this as well. It is indeed a leap that no man can understand or interpret but it is what it is. It was a day when the demanding devil’s kitchen had to give up its long-run history for the genuine friends’ efforts.
Artistic Storytelling
As I mentioned before, we were all aware of the plot based on the real incident, yet we were spellbound. We were desperate when Subhash slipped in and were relieved when we saw him in flesh. The visuals were rich, and the plot had the command to keep us glued to our seats for 135 minutes.
Personally, this is my first movie from the director and now I am definitely more interested to see what he is about to bring in the upcoming days. While typing this post I can’t help but recollect another interview from Chidabaram where he explained how he even wanted to give a detail to the belt borrowed by Subhash from his younger brother before he hits the road with others and why Sixen was the loudest among the friends. For instance, one of my most favourite visuals would be the scene when the bats in the cave get disturbed and fill the sky when Subhash falls into the pit and there are still a few more that deserve a recognition for its cinematic filming. Of courese, let us not forget about the detailing given in the form of rain.
The director and his team’s investment in creating the realistic Guna Cave set, choosing the right cast, minute detailing, mixing the right amount of fiction and keeping it real is definitely worth the praise.
The Bacon of Hope
For me, the movie dealt with the theme of friendship and definitely hope. The hope the friends had on Subhash to hold on to his life and the hope he had on his friends that they would step up to rescue. If we had a chance to talk to the real Subhash and David, I am sure they would agree as well. They themselves are the real testament of hope and faith. In 2015, when I began my final year of UG on a desperate note, I remember listening to our then principal address the students for the first time after being titled. She spoke about hope, the hope that we cling on to when there is nothing else to hold. Hope and Faith in the size of a mustard seed they say and that is what has saved a soul in 2006.
Take Home
A Leap for Friendship that is beyond Human’s understanding but worth every human’s praise.
Though it's been weeks since I watched the film and more than a month since the release, I really wanted to share my experience while witnessing the movie. To be honest, I wouldn't have watched the movie if it wasn’t for my dad and now, I am very much glad that I did. I still keep asking myself these questions, “Would you have stepped out for a friend of yours?” "What would you have done if you were Subhash?”. I try to be as rational as possible and still haven’t figured out an answer but have often gone out of breath. In the end, I did get to experience a tale of miracle and hope.
I also have good news, as I type for more than three hours, I found out that the movie is about to be released on Disney+ Hotstar soon. So, if you haven’t watched the movie yet, please do. If you have watched the movie, then make sure to share your opinions and comments. Until next time!
(Note: Images' Credits go to the respective owners)
Such a beautiful way to put this ♥️