Shutter: Malayalam Movie

Shutter: An interesting thought getting translated into a movie. The story revolves around a highly patriarchal person, who is supposedly the one doing the right thing from the prevailing normative perspective. He also dominates at home over many decisions. Due to friendship with classmates (who happen to be boys), does not intend to allow his daughter to continue her studies and is actively planning to get her married. With these small incidents, the character of Rashid (Lal) is defined. Outside his house, he has built up small shops with iron shutters, which he gives out for rent. He happens to fight with one of the motor garage run there, over the parking of one under repair vehicle, establishing the thought that he wants things to be done as per his beliefs and wishes.

Suran (Vinay Forrt), being an autorickshaw driver, comes in touch with many people and engaging himself with them is one way in which he takes the monotony away from his work. During one of his trips, he meets Director Manoharan (Sreenivasan). Manoharan leaves his bag in Suran’s auto as he was preoccupied with some other thoughts. 

That unused shutter is the place where Rashid meets a few of his friends over drink. From the way it appears that its a regular drinking joint for these middle aged men. Suran, is also acquainted with Rashid and does small errands for Rashid. The thread, which gets them together is the Visa, which Suran believes that Rashid will get for him. Rashid also responds to Suran's faith in him with equal trust. The shop has a small vent kind of window, which looks over Rashid's house from one side.

One night after one such drinking session, Rashid decides to go and buy one more drink in a bar. This is the incident which gets all the characters together.

Few parts are done very well. The character of the prostitute (Sajitha Madathil), whom Rashid takes a fancy for, her transformation from a regular person waiting for bus at the bus stand, to someone who treats her work as business and the mannerism which are not obscene but at the same time suggests what she means, is very sensitively handled. The vision of the Director (Joy Mathew) and the ability of the actor to bring that vision to life, is the heart of the film, which is very well at its place. Suran is true to his words and simple in his attitude towards life and the same is characterized at many places but the one which stands out is when he is shown how to disguise himself by Director Manoharan (Sreenivasan), and he actually believes in it. I was just going on hoping that he wouldn't believe but the beauty of the film lies in the fact that he did. Films strikes a chord when the Director not only take me along with his story but allows me to create a parallel plot. During those moments in the film, I was living the story of Suran but in my own manner and at that moment Suran being true to his character brings out a kind of frustration, which is the real feat of the Director. Its like a theatre but not having the privilege of theatre to live with the actor but detached format of a film; definitely not an easy accomplishment. The fear of Rashid, regarding his small dalliance being found out by family is enacted very well by Lal. When I told a friend about this, the reaction was that he is an accomplished director and actor. I do know a little about his acting after watching him in Iyobinte Pusthakam and Helen and a few more, but to do this again and again, needs embodied skill and strength. The humane side of Thankam, this is what I decided to call her, as thats what she wants (Sujatha Malayathil), is brought out well, by offering the shirt meant for someone else to Rashid.

The sense of purpose of Suran towards Rashid is legendary, although the people around feel that he is doing it for his visa to Gulf but I felt that Suran is like that. He lives by his sense of duty. It was characterized well when he thinks about dropping the children to school while he was stuck in the police station due to driving under influence. He called a fellow auto driver and entrusted the task to him, after enquiring about the other person's whereabouts. its takes a very humane approach to ask someone for real, how they are, over mobile phone, before bringing out their own worries and needs. But at the same time, when asked by Manoharan, if he knows someone who can help him out with the task, he could not think of anyone, as he could not risk the truth being found out by anyone and risk reputation of Rashid.

Overall a very good movie, but editing could have been a tad bit tighter, but the God of design lies in the detail, so lets enjoy the details.