People are dependent on motivation to some extent. They can’t move a day without conflicts and finding its lead. For some, it will be the circumstances, or the nature, or another of the same kind who may have a different perspective. These entities are called the ‘antagonists. Actors and movies are simulated versions of visual representations. Malayalam cinema in 2024 showcased different antagonists, from animals to nature, sympathetic to non-sympathetic, and satirical to serious for the audience. Binged would like to describe the top five (5) of its kind to be its noteworthy roles in this character construction.
1. ‘Alexander Joseph’ in Abraham Osler.
Despite having the dilemma of its crew to make an investigative drama or medical thriller, the movie had a pulsating moment when the ‘real’ Alexander Joseph was introduced to the screen. Though the back story with a view of developing a sympathetic ‘villain’ was not convincing at that level, the character had a shady reference to ‘Hannibal Lecter’ in the movie named ‘The Silence of the Lambs’. The role played by the actor ‘Mammooty’ made his role so believable and efficient and the screen presence was just awesome. The theme song ‘Make Way for the Devil’ was placed so brilliantly by its director.
2. ‘Aadi’ in Premalu
Though presented in a humorous way of ‘villainism’ to make laughter in the audience, Aadi in Premalu is more like a psychopath. The idealistic and well-dressed person in nature, the character becomes topsy-turvy when something that got almost hitched to him goes out of his hand. Or at least that’s what he believes to be. His catchphrase ‘JK or Just Kidding’ becomes interesting at first then becomes scary at the culmination refers to the character arc effectively. Actor Shyam Mohan has done it with a finesse effort and managed the humour requirement perfectly. The character had a loose reference to ‘Shammi’ in Kumbalangi Nights.
3. ‘Kafeel’ in Aadujeevitham
The creation of a non-sympathetic and ugly person with not at all compassion in his blood was able to shed hope of survival for ‘Najeeb’. That was the untidy strength of ‘Kafeel’ in the movie. The actor ‘Talib Al Balushi emulated the character and was able to make it so convincing on screen that the audience could feel the rage for him.
4. ‘Ayyanar’ in Malaikotte Vaaliban
The surprised reveal of Ayyanar as the one who had deep wounds for the inability to take care of his family and churning for his biggest dual fight by being a mediator was amazingly performed by actor Hareesh Peradi and which could give hope and lead for its second installment. The movie received an average to mixed response from the audience, but the performances were phenomenal.
5. Miscellaneous Antagonists
The police officials in the movies ‘Manjummel Boys’, the male troupe members in ‘Aattam’, and the humorous yet bullying relatives of characters Aanandan and Binu played by actors Prithviraj and Basil Joseph in ‘Guruvayur Ambalanadayil’, The Kutty and Gang in ‘Aavesham’ etc. are some of the few groups representative characters which can be called as satiable ones.