Kavya Film Company and P.K. Prime Production’s 2018 (dubbed from the Malayalam film of the same name; UA) is a thriller set against the backdrop of the 2018 Kerala floods. It narrates the tragedy that unfolded when the deluge caught the people of Kerala unawares. The government machinery was just not enough to save people, and that’s when ordinary human beings rose to the occasion and became true heroes, risking their own lives to save others.
Jude Anthony Joseph and Akhil P. Dharmajan have written a mind-boggling story about human grit, determination and brotherhood. Their screenplay is so outstanding that the film becomes an emotional tale of the human spirit and heroism in times of adversity. The audience get so completely taken in by the drama that after just a few minutes of the start, they feel as if they are actually a part of the flooded region. There are several scenes in which the viewers experience edge-of-the-seat thrill and nail-biting fear, such is the impact of the brilliant screenplay. The writers have intelligently kept several tracks and sub-plots so that the monotony of watching floods throughout is not felt. All in all, the story and screenplay are absolutely outstanding. Shashi Prem’s dialogues are lovely.
Tovino Thomas shines as Anoop. He is so endearing that this will go down as one of his best performances so far. Tanvi Ram is very good as Manju. Asif Ali is extremely natural and very endearing as Nixon. Vineeth Sreenivasan does a fantastic job as Rameshan. Narain is lovely as Winston. Lal lends good support as Mathachan. Aparna Balamurali makes her mark as TV news reporter Noora. Kunchacko Boban is good in the role of Shaji Punnoose. Kalaiyarasan shines in the role of truck driver Sethupathy. Sudheesh is lovely as Varghese. Aju Varghese is nice as taxi driver Koshy. Vinitha Koshy is good as the pregnant lady. Gauthami Nair has her moments as Rameshan’s wife. Suresh Kumar makes his presence felt as Unni. Joy Mathew (as Chandy, the father of Nixon’s girlfriend) is natural to the core. Indrans (as Bhasi), Jafar Idukki (as Manju’s father, Aravindan), Shobha Mohan (as Rameshan’s mother), Sreeja Ravi (as Anoop’s mother, Ambika), Shivadha (as Shaji Punnoose’s wife), Gilu Joseph (as Jiji), Harikrishnan (as Alex, son of Chandy), Shreekumar (as Joseph/Josootty), Pranav (as young Undappi), Boban Samuel (as SI Sebin), Rony (as Cleetas), Pauly Walsan (as Mary), Khalid (as Nair Chettan), George (as Georgettan), Nandakishore (as CR), Diya Jackson (as Manju’s mother), Devanandha (as Shaji’s daughter), Jayakrishnan (as Roy Mathew), Gadha (as Koshy’s wife), Shebin Benson (as Nahas), Siddique (as Noora’s father), Sreejith Ravi (as Anoop’s friend), Kalabhavan Haneef (as the dam operator) and the others lend remarkable support.
Jude Anthony Joseph’s direction is extraordinary. He has narrated the drama with so much feeling that it fully connects with the audience. Music (Nobin Paul) is fair. Lyrics (Sumit Tiwari) are alright. Background music is terrific. Akhil George’s cinematography deserves distinction marks. Mohandas’ production designing is excellent. Chaman Chakko’s editing is razor-sharp. Dubbing is excellent.
On the whole, 2018 is a fantastic film. But if, in spite of great merits, the film doesn’t do great business, it will be because of almost nil promotion and poor showcasing.
Released on 26-5-’23 at Gossip (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru Anand Pandit Motion Pictures. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.
