User reviews

It certainly would have ignited a spark of joy when we initially heard that both the Lals (director Lal Jose and superstar Mohanlal) were finally going to unite for a film. But after watching 'Velipadinte Pushthakam', I just so wish that they had decided against collaborating at all. The film is marred by shoddy writing (and bland execution) from start to finish. Even a massive ensemble and skilled set of technicians can only do so much to elevate a second-rate script (by Benny P Nayarambalam).

Notwithstanding the fact that 'Velipadinte Pusthakam' does manage to pull out a few tricky 'revelations', the viewer barely feels connected to any of the characters. What we get is just surface-gracing of a bunch of 'somewhat-interesting' character sketches - be it the Sameer-Franklin (Arun Kurian - Sarath Kumar) conflict, Prem Raj (Salim Kumar who struggles to bring in the 'adulterated' laughs) the Vice Principal with a fetish for the 'other kind' of whatsapp videos, Mary (Lichi a.k.a Reshma Rajan from 'Angamaly Diaries') whose presence in the plot is just to reinstate the chief protagonist's (or the superstar's) capability to draw attention from young women even when he steps into his late 50s, Vishwan (Anoop Menon) the good Samaritan with a thug-like vibe who dies in the very first scene but stays pivotal to the story, or even the film's leading light i.e. Michael Idiculla (Mohanlal) a professor with a gentle heart who overwhelms both students and others alike.

The scenarist employs too many plot devices to drive the film forward and this imparts incoherence to it. At first, it seems like the tale of a heated college rivalry and how the entry of Michael Idiculla brings forth a change in the attitudes of everyone around him including the student-gangs (the college is located very close to a beach and its strength is composed of the fisher-folk's children from the nearby village along with city-bred 'cool' kids). Midway, when Idiculla is done cleansing the campus of deceitful elements and having no further 'preaching' to do, the story takes a turn all of a sudden and nosedives into the scenario of 'film-within-a-film'. This is also where the film starts to loosen its grip on the viewers.

'Velipadinte Pusthakam' wants to be a whodunnit, a family drama, a film about friendship and a comedy all at the same time - a feat it fails desperately in. Director Lal Jose seems to have his feet stuck in a sand pit - he tries to employ every single crowd-pleasing tactic in a (vain) effort to simultaneously rake in the moolah (capitalizing on the star-power at his disposal) and entice the viewers. The vapid scripting barely challenges the true actor in Mohanlal. He sleepwalks through the role of Michael Idiculla - at times, certain scenes look forcefully inserted to showcase the star's acting prowess. Hint: We don't need screenplay contrivances to remind us how good an actor Mohanlal is.

'Velipadinte Pusthakam' is probably amongst the weakest in Lal Jose's filmography (that features a few gems like 'Ayalum Njanum Thammil' and 'Arabikkatha' while also including awful endeavors like 'Spanish Masala' and 'Pattalam') - a film with barely anything to salvage but runs for a tedious 157 minutes nearly drowning on its route to the finish-line. 'Jimmikki Kammal' too has become dreary by now.

Verdict: Snoozefest!

Why was this film made? Why did Mohanlal agree to act in it? What is wrong with Mohanlal? He has been making one bad movie after the other since 2013. Drishyam was his last watchable film. Mohanlal phoned it in like he has been doing over the last five years. I don't even think he is interested in films anymore. It is just a rat race between him and Mamooty now. He is surrounded by talent less fools like Major Ravi, Vyshakh and B.Unnikrishnan. His imbecilic fans act like morons outside movie theatres whenever he releases a crappy film. But even they could not digest this excretory concoction.

Why did Lal Jose agree to direct? I am not one of those people who considers Lal Jose to be a great filmmaker. Most of his films are mediocre at best. But this was crap even by his standards.

Why does Benny.P.Nayarambalam get to work with Mohanlal even after 25 years of writing utter filth?

Why?

I was drinking beer laced with vodka while watching this film. I fell asleep, half way into it. There is more art, heart and entertainment in a lesbian porn video than in this film.

Even if you ignore the absolutely ridiculous plot of Velipadinte Pusthakam, there is nothing substantial enough to appreciate in which is otherwise a long-winded show at aimlessly and embarrassingly championing the lead actor. Mohanlal plays a demi-god of sorts who takes charge as the vice principal of a college, and then suddenly starts showing abilities of a marriage broker, a priest, and a pro cyclist who can do a stoppie as well as a wheelie almost in tandem. Such is the power of this fictitious character that the entire college, including everybody in the administration, looks up to him. The ridiculousness of the plot starts from the beginning but aggravates when things go south before the intermission. It is highly annoying to see Mohanlal play a character so shoddily written, which totally works against the whole idea of this "ideal man fixes everything" themed film. Salim Kumar's character is a travesty and so is the whodunit that the films turns into towards the end. A dash of suspense in the end reinvigorates the audience because they were sleeping in the 2 hours that precedes the climax. I still cannot agree to the fact that Lal Jose made this turkey, which has all the ingredients to make you feel worse about where Malayalam cinema is going. Velipdainte Pusthakam is one of the worst Malayalam films of 2017, and a lot of things are to be blamed here. Including Mohanlal's lethargic performance. TN.

Story: In a college near seashore, there are two rival gangs- Rich gang and Poor aka kadapuram boys. Enters Fr.Prof Matthew Idikula as the college vice principal and manages to unite the gang. For the fund raising of boys hostel,Idikula brings an idea of making a feature film and brings Vijay Babu who decides to make a biopic on the college's founder Vasu a popular goon of that time. After casting of various characters Idikula is finally cast as Vasu. Rest of the film is what happens during the shooting.

Plus: 1. Salim Kumar conedy- vintage salim kumar is back 2. First half- though not excellent but watchable

Minus: 1.ENTIRE SECOND HALF 2. Weak story

Verdict: Mohanlal-Lal Jose was a combo Malayalees were waiting for years. But VP is not worth that wait. They should have waited more for a better script.

As it was the first movie of Mohanlal-lal jose team the expectations was high,but it wont satisfy you the story is about a college prof team with students for making a movie about a local goon in that area, it unfolds the mystery behind the death of goon,background Score and songs were good but u cannot feel that lal jose magic in the movie.it doesn't even reach up to the recent lal jose movie.you can watch it for one time Spoiler Demerit The cycle stunt , dance on stage a few fight scene were pathetic Characters were not well developed Comedy scene as comparing to all lal jose movies were less and moreover the one which was there were mostly delivered by salim kumar which seems to a bit of sex related Merit Good background score Songs were intriguing Average story Rating 6.5/10

The movie is excellent, one of the best movies of Mohanlal I have recently seen. Great locations, nice music, Suspense, action, a good message to the public, lot of youngsters and new faces and above all super performance by Mohanlal. I think this is a movie no one should miss to watch.