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Pranayavarnangal
Cast Suresh Gopi For a storyline that is not very developed, Manju's acting in this movie sets her head and shoulders above several actors. The story itself is simple. Manju plays a simple village belle, immersed in Malayalam poetry and daydreaming nearly at all times. Divya Unni, her roommate, is a close firend, but quite the opposite in her attitude to life. Outgoing and given to practical jokes, she and Manju are poles apart. Unknown to Manju, Divya Unni is engaged to relative Suresh Gopi, Commissioner (I think) and noted poet. When Divya fixes him up to preside over the cultural festival at her college, Manju is thrilled to recite her poetry before such a well-known public figure. She sings the song 'Varamanjaladiya' before him and a packed audience consisting of the usual college booers and Biju Menon, SFI leader and Manju's longtime admirer. Manju's regard for Suresh Gopi deepens into a crush, and Divya Unni plays a practical joke on her, encouraging the crush and making her believe he reciprocates her feelings. Manju takes it seriously, and when Divya reveals it is no more than a joke, she falls into a depression and is ultimately hospitalized. Biju Menon manages to get close to her during this time. When Suresh Gopi finds out what has been going on, he blows the top, and ultimately tells Divya Unni she is too immature for marriage at that point. He asks her to wait till she grows into maturity. Now to the question: what does this tory have, in order that Manju's talents may be so powerfully portrayed? It is this: usually when women of strong character play characters of weak character, they utterly fail. For instance, who would seriously vouch for, say, Seema, or even Divya Unni, to excel in this role? Manju, I believe, is a woman of very strong character- she defied family norms to enter and excel in the movies and finally choose her bridegroom. Her portrayal of this character in this movie was awesome. An interview in the weekend edition of the 'Hindu' newspaper in 1998 (not available any longer online) said she was essentially a girl of the Kerala countryside, and I think her roles as such a girl suit her best. She simply excels in them. |
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