One of the several factors that paved the way for Manjummel Boy’s overwhelming success at the Tamil Nadu box office is undoubtedly the Tamil connection. Most of the film was set in Kodaikanal, bounded by Tamilian characters, but the real deal was the Kamal Haasan movie reference. It’s the craftiness with which Director Chidambaram has placed the ‘Kanmani Anbodu’ song in the crucial act that has left the Tamil audience in raptures. It’s such a heartening blend of compassion, nostalgia, and friendship that one single scene elevates the film into a sure-fire blockbuster. That goes on to show how deeply ingrained Tamil cinema and culture are in the psyche of Kerala.

That’s perhaps the reason why in Premam, Alphonse Puthren decided to introduce a waiflike charming Malar miss to sweep George off his feet. The minute she enters the frame and breaks into Tamil, there is instant approval. Her appearance, devoid of cosmetics (freckles and all), works its magic for the Malayali audience. Puthren deliberately plays down the otherwise forbidden romance between a teacher and student and a lot of it has got to do with the simplicity of Malar miss. Her sanitised romance with George is one of the better portions of Premam. Though not as impactful, the no-nonsense Vaidehi (Ishwarya Rajesh), who quietly wins over Jomon’s heart in Jomonte Suvisheshangal, infuses warmth on the screen.

While Rukku (Kovai Sarala), who works as a house help in Aby’s (Kunchacko Boban) house, is hysterically loud and funny in........

© Mathrubhumi English