Rekhachithram (Malayalam)
Saw Rekhachithram recently on Sony Liv (OTT).
This is not your usual crime thriller. It starts off as one, with a crime and a dead body shown right at the beginning. The director - Jofin T Chacko - however, has other plans for the viewers. He takes you on a journey of discovery about the victim, instead of treating her as just a body in a crime.
The body is of a woman who was killed when she was very young. Her name was Rekha (Anaswaran Rajan), hence the movie title. She was an aspiring actress in the Malayalam film industry. Before she died, she had also spent a night in a convent with some nuns. There was a robbery in the convent. Was Rekha a thief and the robbery went wrong? Or is there more than meets the eye?
The chief investigating officer, Vivek Gopinath (Asif Ali), has a checkered past. He was suspended for his gambling habits. He is determined to redeem his reputation.
The movie starts off with a young boy witnessing 4 people taking a wrapped body in the pouring rain. He tells his friend. Cut to the present, where a rich man goes to the forest. Leaving his driver at the edge, he goes deep into the forest, and records a confession on Facebook live by a tree. He then shoots himself. The confession is about Rekha's murder (although he doesn't know her name).
The film seamlessly transitions between the past and the present. Affection for Mammootty is shown in the way he is is depicted (just as a film star, he doesn't have a part in this movie). AI is used sparingly to insert him in the scenes from the past. Rekha was playing the part of an extra in his film when she suddenly disappeared. So all folks associated with that film who are still living are questioned in order to form a complete picture of what happened.
The main strength of the story is how they turn a dead body into a living, breathing person slowly in the eyes of the viewers. That is why it is literally "Rekha's film".
Rekha's story gradually unfolds. Her hopes, her dreams. How she ran away to be a part of the Malayalam film industry. Her bright path ahead, cut tragically short by her untimely death. Her family, esp. her younger sister, who has still not given up trying to find her even after so many decades.
It's not a typical thriller. The mystery behind Rekha's murder is revealed before the end. We know who the killers are. But still, there's a twist in the last 30 minutes that is commendable.
Asif Ali should now be declared as a honorary Police Officer by Kerala Police, so comfortable is he in cop roles :-). Police procedure has been paid proper respect in the film. For this, kudos to Jofin and the writers, John Manthrikal (original story by Ramu Sunil).
Anaswara Rajan does a good job as Rekha. Making her feel like someone who you mourn for, even though you don't know her. She does a good job in showing the potential in Rekha which gets tragically wasted.
There are good actors in the supporting cast, rendering it a watchable experience. Zarin Shihab esp. delivers a standout performance, the flickering emotions on her face are a treat to watch.
The only weakness if at all, are the dialogues. There aren't any punch lines in the film.
Other than that, totally watchable. Family friendly as well. Will recommend.
