Magic Frames and United Global Media Entertainments’ Ajayante Randam Moshanam (A.R.M) (dubbed from the Malayalam film of the same name; UA) is a film of three generations. Kunji Kelu (Tovino Thomas) is the great-grandfather of Ajayan (Tovino Thomas). Maniyan (Tovino Thomas) is Ajayan’s grandfather. While Kunji Kelu was regarded as a fearless warrior, Maniyan was known as a thief. Ajayan now wants to get the ‘thief’ tag removed from his name as without that, he will also be considered to be a thief. As it is, he is accused of every crime that takes place in his village. Actually, Kunji Kelu had been granted a wish to ask for whatever he wanted. He had asked the king for a deity which was made from a special rock which fell from a meteorite. Maniyan was accused of having stolen that deity. The film also addresses the caste system under which people belonging to Ajayan’s caste are not allowed inside the temple.
Sujith Nambiar has written a story which starts off well but loses steam midway. His screenplay, with additional screenplay by Deepu Pradeep, is sometimes confusing and when it is neither engaging nor confusing, it gets boring. Moreover, the screenplay is often predictable. The dialogues are not as exciting as they ought to have been.
Tovino Thomas does a splendid job in all the three roles. He makes the drama enjoyable despite the drawbacks in writing. Krithi Shetty is quite good but she gets limited scope. Aishwarya Rajesh does well in the role of Kunji Kelu’s wife. Surabhi Lakshmi is lovely as Maniyan’s wife. Basil Joseph lends wonderful support in the role of Ajayan’s friend. Jagadish (as goldsmith Naanu), Kabir Duhan Singh (as Pulimutt Mammadh), Pramod Shetty (as Nanjappa Chowta), Madhupal (as Edakkal Rajavu), Sanju Sivram (as Chandran), Santhosh Keezhattoor (as Paramu Nambiar), Rohini (as Ajayan’s mother), Harish Uthaman (as Sudev Varma), Nisthar Sait (as Chathutti Nambiar), Aju Varghese (as SI Saifudeen), Sudheesh (as Chandu Nair), Biju Kuttan (as Kuttappan), Parvathi T. (as Ajayan’s grandmother) and the others do as desired.
Jithin Laal’s direction is fair. At times, it looks like Laal is unable to handle the story of three generations. Dhibu Ninan Thomas’s music is not too appealing for the Hindi film audience. Lyrics pass muster. Song picturisations are grand. Background music is impactful. Jomon T. John’s cinematography is outstanding. Action and stunts (by Vikram Mor and Phoenix Prabu) are thrilling. Visual effects are excellent. Production values need special mention. Shameer Muhammed’s editing should’ve been sharper. Dubbing is proper.
On the whole, Ajayante Randam Moshanam (A.R.M) doesn’t stand any chance at the Hindi box-office.
Released on 13-9-’24 at Sterling (daily 1 show) and other cinemas of Bombay thru AA Films. Publicity & opening: poor. …….Also released all over. Opening was weak everywhere.