Prithviraj Sukumaran's Jana Gana Mana Movie Review

Jana Gana Mana, a Malayalam Movie got dubbed into Telugu and is now streaming on Netflix. Prithviraj Sukumaran and Suraj Venjaramoodu came together after sensational hit Driving Licence film. This movie released in April and became a blockbuster in Kerala. Driving License became a blockbuster and director of this film, Dijo Jose Anthony made Queen, which talked about a rape victim. Movie made headlines post release for the content and it is said to be an important film that no one should miss. Let’s discuss about the film here.

Plot:
A college professor Seba Mariyam (Mamata Mohandas) gets raped, murdered. She has a very active social relevant voice and such a person being murdered angers students. They start to protest and Police react to the protests in a brutal manner. Government hands over the case ACP Sajjan Kumar (Suraj Venjramoodu) and he arrests four men who have political connections. He tries hard to present them in front of a magistrate but pressure from higher officials increase to leave them. He encounter murders them and that makes him a hero. Human Rights Activists final case against him and Advocate Aravind Swaminathan takes care of the arguments against Sajjan Kumar. Who wins the case? Should Encounters be encouraged? Can anybody play God? Watch the movie to know more.

Analysis:
Performances work in the film. Suraj has a very believable police officer physique, appearance. He again delivers convoluted, guilt ridden police officer performance aptly to the tee as he did in Driving License. The slight difference he brings to the body language in both the films is appreciable. Prithviraj Sukumaran engages you with his performance even though the writing underwhelms at few places. His voice, personality and performance keep things engaging during the second hour court room drama.

But writing wise film keeps on pointing at past of Aravind Swaminathan at times and that jump is not as smooth as some other well-written screenplays. The idea behind entire plot is plausible but the film as a whole works only when Prithviraj, a star takes over from the director’s hand. Camera keeps following him and he delivers more than the expectations. But the over reliance on him kills some of the impact that the film tries to deliver in the second hour. It is too long for a court room drama and at times resents to preaching. Had the makers tried to stick to the “show … not say” adage, movie would have been much much better. Not every film needs to be subtle and not every paper clipping is film making worthy too. Dijo Jose tries to mix the loud tone to taking paper headlines and making a film. There is a problem with this approach as the writing is tacky. Still, performances make the movie watchable, if you don’t mind the snail pace.

Prithviraj Sukumaran’s screen presence & performance
Suraj Venjramoodu and Mamata Mohandas performances
Second hour court room drama

Cast: Prithviraj Sukumaran, Suraj Venjaramoodu, Mamta Mohandas, Sri Divya, Dhruvan, Shari, Shammi Thilakan, Pasupathy, Azhagam Perumal, Ilavarasu, Vinod Sagar, Vincy Aloshious, Midhun, Hari Krishnan

Writer: Sharis Mohammed
Cinematography: Sudeep Elamon
Music: Jakes Bejoy
Director: Dijo Jose Antony
Producer: Supriya Menon, Listin Stephen