Once known as a Hit maker, Malayalam Cinema director Vinayan made a grand come-back to the movies with ‘Pathonpatham Noottandu’ (trans. Nineteenth Century) this year. This period drama action film is set in the 19th Century Travancore and follows the injustice meted out against the lower caste people in Kerala by the upper-caste landlords. The film theatrically released on 8th September to generally favourable reviews, but underwhelming box-office results. The film is currently streaming on Amazon Prime Video and we think the film deserves a chance on OTT atleast.
Set in the 19th Century Travancore, the story is based on the life of Arattupuzha Velayudha Panickar, a warrior who fought against social injustices. The film also carries out a parallel narration of Nangeli and Kayamkulam Kochunni’s stories. Neither Velayudha Chekavar, nor Nangeli nor Kayamkulam Kochunni are alien names to the people of Kerala. All three are some of the most iconic historical figures there ever is in Kerala History.
Velyudha Chekavar was a social reformer ane warrior, who persistently fought against the Breast Tax, Head tax, Mustache tax and all other injustices meted out against the lower caste in Kerala. He also supported Nangeli who fought for the right of women to cover their breasts. The film follows events like Velayudha Chekavar being called to the Durbar (court) of the palace to ask his help to find and capture Kayamkulam Kochunni, an infamous thief. The film also refers to the time when he built a temple for the lower caste people and was arrested for the same as it was forbidden for the lower caste to worship idol, then. History has it that following Nangeli and Panickar’s death, people got furious and enraged. In order to save Travancore from becoming a riotous, the king abolished the unjust taxes and granted women the right to cover their upper body.
Pathonpatham Noottandu is an eventful piece of film that sheds light on some of the worst phases of our history and worst kinds of casteism upper caste people practiced in the name of caste. The film is also technically sound. Besides few flaws like underwhelming acting from a less popular star-cast and lack of promotions, the film deserves a chance atleast now that it’s out on streaming.
Pathonpatham Noottandu stars Siju Wilson, Kayadu Lohar, Anoop Menon, Chemban Vinod Jose, Deepti Sati, Poonam Bajwa, Renu Soundar and Senthil Krishna in important roles. Written and Directed by Vinayan, the film is streaming on Amazon Prime Video in Malayalam, Hindi, Tamil, Telugu and Kannada language audios.