The bigger the hype, the bigger the expectations, and if they are not met, then bigger the fall. This is how I want to surmise what I felt about Odiyan, the much-hyped Mohanlal-starrer. Ever since the film was announced, the movie has been riding on a gigantic wave of marketing about being the next big thing in Malayalam cinema. There were speculations that it could beat Pulimurugan in being the highest grossing Malayalam movie of all time. Early reports even say that it has already made Rs 100 crore in advance bookings. Odiyan might do all that thanks to the hype, but as a movie, debutant director VA Shrikumar Menon's action fare is a disappointment.  Odiyan: Mohanlal's Upcoming Supernatural Action Thriller Gets The Widest Release For a Malayalam Film.

The Northern parts of Kerala are aware of the legend of Odiyan, a member of the shape-shifting clan assassins in the regions. If you are not aware of this, no prashnam! For Mammootty's narration during the opening credits explains everything you want to know about them.

Coming to the story, Odiyan Manickyan (Mohanlal) is said to be the sole surviving member of the nearly extinct clan. Years back, he had left his village of Thenkurrishi accused of a double murder then. Now, 15 years later, Odiyan returns mysteriously to his hometown, causing worries to his villagers as to his purpose. So why has he come back? What's it has to do with Prabha (Manju Warrier), his childhood crush, or Ravunni Nair (Prakash Raj), his longtime nemesis? Odiyan answers all those questions through its meandering three-hour runtime.

The movie has to be given credit for exploring the mythical fables of Odiyan perhaps for the first time in Malayalam cinema. Contrary to what legends say, as Innocent's character explains to a group of lads, Odiyan doesn't actually shape-shift. He uses a mixture of disguise, the shroud of darkness and the paranoia created in the minds of his would-be victims to make an impression that he is a buffalo, a deer, a rhino or a leopard. Though Odiyan Manickyan doesn't kill, he targets those whose contracts he has been given in the form of an Odi only to scare or at most, maim them. 

So those who might be expecting a supernatural thriller would be disappointed with these realistic touches. Though some of Manickyan's actions, including a scene where he actually levitates, are nothing short of superhuman, if not supernatural. Odiyan Trailer: Mohanlal is the King of Darkness in This Thrilling, Action-Packed Promo - Watch Video.

Odiyan the movie is really good when it builds up the intrigue of the character and how he attacks his target. The rousing background score, with an electrifying chant of the character's name, helps in constructing his mystique. And of course, you add the mass appeal of a terrific actor like Mohanlal, whose mere glimpse makes theatre-halls filled with ravenous whistles - you really should have had a winning combination.

There is a problem, though - there is an Odiyan hidden in the script that brings down the movie just when it gets interesting. While disguises and fights might be Odiyan's strengths, a good story and entertaining factors, and of course, consistency, are definitely not.

Odiyan is terribly bogged down by a very ordinary premise, a typical revenge drama, that has been visited so many times by Malayalam cinema in the past. The flashback scenes are extremely predictable with very few redeeming factors. Adding to the problems is the fact that several scenes are stretched to the point of boredom, with needless addition of a couple of songs. The rampant jumps from past to present, using Siddique and Innocent's waster characters as framing devices, creates a hell lot of confusion. Odiyan also lacks a proper entertainment appeal, something the equally flawed Pulimurugan was high on. That is, except for that unintentionally hilarious cameo by producer Anthony Perumbavoor.

I am also not quite sure in which era the present and the past elements are set, as the movie never bothers to explain them. Even Manickyan and Prabha's love story is confusing. We know that he is in love with her, but are clueless about her feelings towards him in the past. The beautifully picturised and composed Kondoram song (that arrives a bit too late) hints that there were feelings, but some of her other scenes look like she is oblivious to his love towards her.

Then there is the villain problem. Prakash Raj's Ravunni Nair is voiced by Shammi Thilakan, and the National Award-winningTamil star also ends up playing the kind of villain roles Shammi used to do. Ravunni is a one-note sneering lecher who lusts after his cousin Prabha and her blind sister (Sana Althaf, average) and creates problems for the girl and the hero. There is nothing different about his portrayal that makes him an unforgettable antagonist. Unless, you count adding blackpaint to his face to make him darker and have the leads taunt him about his skin tone. Haven't we evolved beyond the skin layer by now?

It is not that there weren't promising elements in the script by scenarist Harikrishnan. Odiyan's methods getting affected by the electrification of the village was a nice idea (and that should ideally have been the script's approach towards the character), but gets lost in the melodrama. Also the racist themes of why some villagers look down on the lower-caste Odiyan despite fearing him should have been explored further, but it doesn't. The villagers in Thenkurrishi  are also MPD-suffering beings - one point, they are not scared to challenge Odiyan and immediately, in the next scene, they are frightened of what he might do. Mohanlal's #MeToo Controversy: Revathy Slams Her Former Co-Star For Calling The Movement a Fad!

Things do pick up in the energetic climax thanks to some wonderful action choreography by the always dependable Peter Hein (amusing to read in the opening credits that even he has a fan-club in Kerala). Even then, keeping the action too much in dark and the jump-cut editing make it not easy for the viewer to follow who is attacking whom. Though, I am sure you know who will come out victorious!

Ultimately, the main reason why you bear through Odiyan are the performances of the lead actors Mohanlal and Manju Warrier. Though they don't look exactly their younger '20s or '30s version, (nothing on the incredible makeup and styling, it's just the casting) the actors give their best to their roles. Mohanlal continues to amaze us with his flexibility despite his bulky frame and he is incredible in the emotional scenes. While her character is not exactly well-written, Manju Warrier breathes fire through her eyes and delivers a strong act. All the other actors are just fine. Narain, in a brief role, hams.

Watch the Trailer of Odiyan Here -

Yay!

- Mohanlal and Manju Warrier

- The intrigue around Odiyan

- The action scenes

- BG score

Nay!

- The rest of the movie

Final Thoughts

If you take out the hype and go with low expectations. Odiyan might be a passable watch for you. Mohanlal and Manju Warrier don't disappoint, but we wish the magic in Odiyan's persona also percolate into the script. A let-down!

Rating:2out of 5

(The above story first appeared on LatestLY on Dec 14, 2018 04:45 PM IST. For more news and updates on politics, world, sports, entertainment and lifestyle, log on to our website latestly.com).