Pachakuthira by Kamal is unique
in that it features Dileep in a double role. Though the film’s
story has been attributed to its hero Dileep, it is actually an insipid
remake of the Hollywood blockbuster, Rainman. Pachakuthira
boasts a wholly different theme and difficult roles, but it fails to
arouse spectators’ interest and is likely to leave die-hard fans
of Dileep unimpressed. The heroine of the movie is the nubile Gopika.
Anandakuttan (Dileep) is an orphan who supplies
junior artistes to various production houses. With vague memories of
his mother, who left for Germany when he was seven, Anandakuttan has
little to cheer about. Understandably, the hero is a self-made man
with hardly any money: he nurses a soft corner for Nimmy (Gopika),
another junior artist. And she, living with a paralysed father and
a sister in a half built house has her fair share of responsibilities.
Into their turbulent lives enter Akash Menon (Dileep), the mentally
challenged brother of Anandakuttan, following their mother’s
death in Germany. Assuming that his brother is a rich man, Anandakuttan
borrows money to make him happy. But he and his friends have to grapple
with financial ruin as Akash creates chaos day by day. Finally, Anandakuttan
learns the bitter truth that Akash, unsociable and difficult, does
not have a penny to his name. Resentful, he and his friends devise
ways and means to get rid of him with hilarious consequences. In the
midst of the confusion, a rich industrialist arrives from Germany who
offers to take Akash under his wing and pay Anandakuttan a handsome
sum of money in return. Will Anandakuttan accept the deal and allow
Akash Menon to go away? The film examines the developments following
the deal and reasons for the industrialist’s concern in Akash.
Dileep as the mentally handicapped Akash Menon,
has executed a fine performance, but the same cannot be said about
his portrayal of the hero Anandakuttan, which is lacklustre. Gopika
as the vulnerable Nimmy has nothing much to do. Even the ample doses
of humour by Salim Kumar, Machan Varghese and Dinesh & music by
Illayaraja fail to revive the sagging storyline. Technically, the movie
is replete with glitches and the sound recording is substandard. Instead
of treating the plot with sensitivity, Kamal who has several well-crafted
films to his credit reduces it to a mere experiment in ineffectual
performances. Surely, the fate of Pachakuthira looks
uncertain this summer!
