FILM JOURNALS & REVIEWS
Detailed Views, Thoughts and Multilayers in the Film
PLOT SYNOPSIS
(spoiler alert)
"Bramayugam," a dark fantasy horror thriller, emerges as a cinematic masterpiece shot entirely in black and white. This cinematic venture marks a significant return to this monochromatic aesthetic, a departure not witnessed for 38 years since the release of "Amma Ariyan" in 1986. Mammootty spearheads this foray into the dark fantasy genre in "Bramayugam," directed and co-written by Rahul Sadasivan alongside TD Ramakrishnan.
In this fantasy realm, art and folklore are seamlessly intertwined, brought to life through the lens of the talented Shehnad Jalal. The film navigates the 17th century Malabar, introducing Mammootty as Kodumon Potti, Arjun Ashokan as Thevan, a Paanan (court singer), and Sidharth Bharathan as Kodumon Potti's cook. Their stellar performances collectively elevate "Bramayugam" to the status of a cult classic.
Amidst the challenges of captivating modern audiences with fantasy, horror, and folklore genres, "Bramayugam" defies expectations. The decision to film in black and white adds an extra layer to the storytelling, making the narrative not only tense and mysterious but also evoking the essence of a bygone era. The frames and artworks masterfully crafted within the monochromatic spectrum contribute to the film's unique visual identity.
Bramayugam: The Age of Madness, a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language dark fantasy horror thriller, stands as a cinematic creation directed by Rahul Sadasivan. This compelling film is a collaborative production of Night Shift Studios and YNOT Studios, with a narrative crafted by Rahul Sadasivan himself, who also shares the credit for screenplay and dialogue with TD Ramakrishnan. The visual aesthetics are skillfully captured by Cinematographer Shehnad Jalal, while the evocative musical backdrop is orchestrated by Christo Xavier. The stellar cast includes Mammootty, Arjun Ashokan, Sidharth Bharathan, Amalda Liz, and Manikandan R. Achari. In this film journal, we embark on an exploration of the captivating world crafted by Rahul Sadasivan in "Bramayugam".
FILM OVERVIEW
In 17th century Malabar, Thevan and Koran escape the clutches of the Portuguese slave trade in Ponnani and flee to the east. One night, camping at the banks of the Bharatappuzha River, Koran is killed by a yakshi, leaving Thevan to discover an abandoned mansion the next morning.
While attempting to steal a coconut, he is apprehended by the house's cook. Brought before the lord of the manor, Kodumon Potti, Thevan is requested to sing a song. Despite his desire to leave, Thevan is complimented on his song, and the potti insists he stay the night. The cook, guiding Thevan to his room, discourages him from probing into the house or the lord's background.
In the following days, revelations from the cook unfold a sinister history: Kodumon Potti, a descendant of Chudalan Potti, was gifted a demon helper, a chaathan, by the deity Varahi. Constant torture of the demon drove it mad, leading to the tragic demise of Chudalan Potti and his family. Kodumon Potti eventually defeats the chaathan, chaining it to the mansion's attic.
A twist occurs when Thevan discovers the cook digging a grave, not for himself but for Kodumon Potti. The lord of the manor is revealed to be the chaathan in disguise, having imprisoned the real Kodumon Potti in the attic, driving him insane. To escape, the cook and Thevan must defeat the chaathan by extinguishing an ever-burning lamp in a secret chamber and trapping the creature in a special chest.
An intense argument ensues; the cook steals the key, blows out the lamp, rendering the chaathan powerless. Setting fire to the chaathan's disguised form, the creature emerges, unveiling the cook as the potti's illicit son. The cook attempts to don the ring, granting mastery over the chaathan, but Thevan intervenes. A fierce battle ensues, concluding with Thevan securing the ring and donning it. Fire engulfs the mansion, collapsing the house.
The cook escapes and encounters Thevan outside the compound, realizing it's not the real Thevan but the Chaathan reanimated by the ring. Terrified, he flees into a river. Mistaken for a lunatic, a Portuguese soldier kills him. A battalion of Portuguese soldiers crosses the river, heading towards the Mana, while the Chaathan walks into a forest as the Mana is now destroyed.
This intricate plot unfolds within the framework of a fantastical Kerala folklore concept designed for the film.
As we acknowledge, the primary reason for the film's acclaim is Mammootty, who portrays the character of Kodumon Potti. Here, the film transcends the conventional folklore genre, becoming a multilayered narrative that instills horror, thoughtfulness, and a sense of curiosity, successfully transporting the audience to 17th century Kerala. A resounding applause is due to the artistry team for their commendable work in managing the location art, particularly the fantastic mansion of Kodumon Potti, which, akin to Mammootty's portrayal, emerges as another compelling character. The film's scenes, predominantly set in and around this mansion, maintain viewer engagement, credited to the thoughtful artwork and well-designed shots.
BLACK HOLE REFERENCE
As discussed, Bramayugam is more than a mere retelling of a folklore story; it's a multifaceted film that incorporates intricate details. A half-hour into Bramayugam triggers thoughts of a black hole, symbolized by the old mana where Kodumon Potti resides. It welcomes all who pass through its vicinity, yet, akin to a black hole, none who enter emerge.
Potti confesses to not having seen the outside world for a considerable time, introducing the concept of time as nearly dead, akin to the nature of a black hole.
In the film, Potti challenges the latest entrant, Paanan, to a game of dice, coercing him to play and wagering his lifetime in the 'mana.' This scenario paints a picture of a timeless world, characteristic of folklore. The presence of "Chathan and Yakshi" on the screen adds vitality to this folklore.
IS THERE ANY DEEPER MEANING FOR THE
YAKSHI CHARACTER?
In the film, a drawback I noticed was that a certain character wasn't explored further. It seems reasonable to suggest that the character was introduced primarily for gratuitous sensuality. This may be attributed to Bramayugam's main inspirations being drawn from old Kerala folklore.
In this context, the Yakshi serves as the main catalyst for Paanan (Arjun Ashokan) losing himself in the forest, eventually leading him to Potti's mansion. The Yakshi seduced Koran, Arjun Ashokan's friend character, leading to his demise. Interestingly, there are scenes where the Yakshi engages in a sexual encounter with Potti but refrains from harming him.
This could be interpreted as a clue to Potti being a Chaathan, suggesting a connection between inhuman beings.The narrative draws inspiration from old Kerala folklore, where such supernatural elements play a significant role. Nevertheless, I felt that the character's depth could have been further explored, rather than being relegated to mere sensuality.
TOXIC CASTE SYSTEM AND GREED FOR
POWER AND DICTATORSHIP
Bramayugam also delves into another layer, addressing the toxic caste system. Arjun Ashokan, portraying Thevan, starts as a lower-caste Paanan, excellently depicting the poverty and oppression tied to his status. Mammootty, as Potti and chaathan, establishes a dictatorship, enslaving the lower class in his mansion. The ring symbolizes power and becomes a weapon for leadership, revealing the film's underlying commentary on human greed for power and dictatorship.
The clash between Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan, the partial destruction of the mansion, and the escape of Potti's cook provide a gripping climax.
The cook, Sidharth Bharathan, who escapes and encounters Thevan, realizes the reanimated Chaathan's presence. The ensuing events, including the cook's demise at the hands of a Portuguese soldier and the Chaathan walking into a forest, mark the film's conclusion, with the Mana now destroyed.
In the final revelation, the ring passes into the hands of the lower-class Panan, Arjun Ashokan, but the climax exposes that the original Panan had perished in the mansion's destruction. The face now presented is that of the reborn Chaathan.
Bramayugam and Tumbbad
Cinematic Parallels:
Bramayugam and Tumbbad: The film "Bramayugam" can be compared with "Tumbbad," a 2018 Indian Hindi-language folk horror film directed by Rahi Anil Barve. While both films feature distinct narratives, there are cinematic parallels in some layers, as discussed earlier. The nuanced storytelling, artworks, and high production quality, coupled with outstanding performances, place "Bramayugam" and "Tumbbad" in the league of films that elevate Indian The explored layers in these films showcase a depth and complexity that captivates audiences, making them essential watches for enthusiasts of the folk horror genre. cinema within the folk horror genre.
Therefore, "Bramayugam; The Age of Madness" stands as another success for the Indian film industry through Rahul Sadashivan's conceptualization and Mammootty's outstanding performance.
So, overall, Bramayugam unequivocally triumphs in maintaining its multilayered narration, transporting the audience to the 17th century Malabar in Kerala. The monochromatic shots and meticulously designed artworks enhance the visual experience, complementing the director's precise vision on screen, supported by commendable performances from all characters.
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