Rekhachithram

 “Rekhachithram” toplining Asif Ali is Jofin T Chacko’s sophomore directorial after the Mammootty starrer “The Priest”. Jofin has picked up an investigative thriller this time scripted by John Manthrickal and Ramu Sunil. 

Asif Ali plays Vivek, an SHO, who was briefly suspended from service for gambling online while on duty. As a punishment, he is transferred to Malakkapara police station in the forest area around Chalakkudy. On the day of his joining, Rajendran (Siddique) shots himself dead in the Malakkapra forests after disclosing online the details of a crime he committed 40 years ago in that area when the filming of Bharathan classic “Kaathodu Kaathoram” was in progress. Vivek rushes to the spot on getting the news and based on Rajendran’s revelations unearths a 40-year-old skeleton from the ground. It is for Vivek and the cops now to find out whose skeleton it is and how did the person die. 

The narrative starts with an engaging premise and gets you directly into the investigation without wasting much time on the peripherals. There is a method and logic to the manner in which Kerala Police investigate the case and a multitude of people from the past enter into the narrative – some still alive, some long dead. The nostalgia associated with the movies of the 80’s is invoked to perfection once again and the audience is literally transported to the sets of the classic with AI being used generously to create stalwarts like Bharathan and John Paul. The involvement of director Kamal and actor Jagadeesh as themselves and the clever characterizations of Indrans and T G Ravi add further depth to the narrative. It is an extremely thought out, detailed and layered script that hardly leaves any questions and the writing team can definitely take a bow. 

Jofin had proved his mettle as an excellent technician with his directorial debut and he soars higher here with his firm grip on the narrative. With excellent support provided by the cinematographer (Appu Prabhakar) and the editor (Shameer Muhammed), Jofin ensures that the audience attention is firmly captured and retained till the end credits roll. Mujeeb Majeed works up an excellent soundtrack with the background score elevating the scenes. The production design, make-up and costumes departments deserve a standing ovation for the excellent recreation of the 80’s. 

The ensemble cast led by Asif Ali delivers big time, and it is an absolute pleasure watching Nishant Sagar and Manoj K Jayan portray solid characters. It is good to see “Nakhakshathangal” fame Saleema on screen after long and among the rest of the cast, Zarin Shihab, Unni Lalu, and Megha Thomas are particularly impressive.