Karathika In Ranjith's New movie "Leela".

Karthika Nair who debuted in Mollywood through Lenin Rajendran's "Makaramanju" and followed it up with latest release 'Kammath and Kammath' will be seen in Ranjith's "Leela". She will play the lead character Leela. The role will be a powerful one and will help in cementing a place for herself in the Malayalam film industry. Karthika Nair enjoys a good outing in Tamil with hit movies like Ko to her credit.
Ranjith's 'Leela' will have Mammootty playing the role of Kuttiyappan. The film is an adaptation of a novel Leela byUnni R. the film Leela also has Nedumudi Venu essaying an important role. He will play the character of Pillechan. Shoot of the film will begin inFebruary.

Kammath & Kammath ::: Malayalam movie review

Kammath and Kammath , an action comedy, directed by Thomson K Thomas and starring Mammootty along withDileep, Karthika Nair, Rima Kallingal among others, seems to be yet another disappointment in the cap of the superstar - Mammootty.

Having promoted Kammath & Kammath as a mass entertainer,the film's script lets you down completely as it seems half baked without a strong plot. While the first half is bearable, the second half is painstakingly slow. However, it would be wrong to say that the film doesn't have any fun element init. Those who are expecting some action packed element will not be disappointed. While Baburaj does a lot of action sequences, our 'ikka' is seen relaxing on top of the car in most scenes! Dance performances by Mammoootty ikka, Dileep, Rima and Karthika is very good.

The film would have surely been a failure if not for MazhavilManorama, who have paid a whooping Rs 4.95 crore (US$0.9 million) for the satellite rights.

Story

Kammath and Kammath narrates the story of Kammath Family, who speaks Malayalam with a Kongini Slang as they have migrated to Kochi from Goa during Portuguese invasion. The plot revolves around Kammath brothers and things that happen after the inauguration of a restaurant in Palakkad. Mammootty plays the role of the big brother Raja RajaKammath, while Dileep plays therole of Deva Raja Kammath.
Rima Kallingal portrays the character of Palakkad municipalcommissioner while Karthika is her sister. Baburaj is seen as a loyal assistant of the Kammath family. The Kammaths relation with the sisters and the problems that follow forms the main storyline.

Performances

Dileep steels the show with his excellent comic timings, natural expressions and perfect dialogue delivery. Baburaj is yet another treat to watch as he gives good support to Dileep in terms of comic timing and dialogues. Rima Kallingal has got a decent role and has done a good job and so has Karthika.Mammootty is good as usual, but fails to deliver a powerful performance. Dhanush is in a cameo role and is seen dream walking through the scenes!

One time watchable !!!

Review by Movie wicket

Biju Menon- Kavya madhavan team in Aashique abu's next

Kavya Madhavan and Biju Menon will play the lead roles in Aashiq Abu's next venture. This is the first time that the director is working with these established and popular stars of Malayalam film industry. Much speculation and curiosity surrounds this movie from Ashiqu Abu, who is known for his unique and off-beat narratives. The film will be one among the short 40 minute expositions in Amal Neerad's cinematic compilation, 'Anju Sundarikal'. Ashique Abu has commented about the film in a social networking site, "The film is about five beautiful women- mother, daughter, lover, wife, andactress. I'm doing the actress featurette with Kavya Madhavan and Biju Menon in the lead". The onus will be on Kavya Madhavan, who will essay the role of an actress. Already, the shoot of Samir Thahir's featurette with Nivin Pauly and Isha Sharvani in the lead has been completed. Other directors in the fray includes Anwar Rasheed, Shyju Khalid and Amal himself. 'Anju Sundarikal' is scheduled to hit the screens by May.

ANNAYUM RASOOLUM ::: Review

Annayum Rasoolum , directed byRajeev Ravi and starring FahadhFazil, Andrea Jeremiah, Aashiq Abu and Sunny Wayne among others, is undoubtedly one of the best films to release in recent times in Malayalam cinema. Realistic, refreshingly heart warming and a simple love story narrated in the most fantastic manner is how we candescribe Annayum Rasoolum .
The story as such is not a novel plot, but it is the narration and the treatment which needs a standing ovation. Regular day-to-day events and happenings are encapsuled in abeautiful way making the entireexperience very enjoyable and memorable. The accent, dialogue delivery and the lifestyle is very typical of people living in 'Kochi.'
Cinematographer Madhu Neelakantan briiliantly captures the scenic beauty. Music by Krishna Kumar too is top class. The only 'minus' if it can be called so is the length of the film. Running up to 3 hours, Annayum Rasoolum would havebenefited with a little bit of firmediting. However, you don't complain much since it's a storythat you can easily relate to.
Excellent performance by the entire star cast only adds to the beauty of the film. A few romantic sequences between the two lead - Fahadh and Andrea is adorable though theydon't exchange too many dialogues. The best part of Rajeev Ravi's direction is that the narration never becomes melodramatic.

Story
Rasool (Fahadh Fazil) is a taxi driver who has been living in Mattancherry for years. He has abrother named Haider (Ashiq Abu), who works at a local ferry. Their father lives in Ponnanni with his second wife. Anna Josephina (Andrea Jeremiah) is a sales girl in a famous company in Ernakulam. They slowly become attached toeach other since they both are frank and honest. However, situation becomes ugly once it comes to light that Rasool and Anna's brother are having a feud and are in very bad terms.

Performances
The entire star cast of AnnayumRasoolum have given an outstanding performance. Fahadh Fazil seems to be maturing with each film and he is brilliant, and so is Andrea. Their expressions and body language speak volumes about what they (characters) feel for each other and the situation that they are in.

Verdict
Annayum Rasoolum is a must watch! You are sure to come out feeling refreshed and content.

Movie wicket

Romans :: Malayalam movie Review

'Romans' mixes every known genre into its cinematic cauldron, to churn out a heady cocktail. There is romance, comedy, suspense, action, horror etc. The film easily stradles all these diverse areas. Throughout the entire film, the comic elements have been sustained. This liberal coating of humour is the film's USP. With the hit duo, Kunchacko Boban and Biju Menon providing the laughs, 'Romans' does deliver what is expected of it.

The suspense-horror part adds to the thrill. 'Romans' centres around the escapades of two thieves played by Biju Menon and Kunchako Boban. The duo escapes from the train in which they are being transported to a jail. They end up in a village along the Kerala- Tamil Nadu border. There they trick the innocent villagers into thinking that they are priests ordained from Rome.

The "Romans" have the time of their lives there.

The audience are taken for a joyride through their comic capers and antics. The warm soupthey are in thickens with unseen forces making its presence felt. During all this, the comedy does not flag. The suprise revelations and the unfolding of the mystry forms the rest of the plot.

'Romans' perfectly articulates Biju Menon's comic timing and underscores his ability to performa comic character solidly. His pithyand spontaneous statements are a treat. Kunchacko Boban, introduced as a romantic hero, has given a commendable performance. Niveda Thomas whose role in the movie is a forgettable one, has done what is required of her. Nelson has performed well creating many unforgettable comic situations in the first half. Others like Lalu Alex, Vijayaraghavan, Kochu Preman, T.G.Ravi has done well.

Boban Samuel, the film's director has given the viewers a fairly decent fare. Script and dialogue by Y. V. Rajesh is upbeat and plugs most of the loopholes. The Kodaikanal locale, the old church and the thriller part have all been deftly captured on screen.

Verdict :: Entertainer

Movie Wicket