As movie lovers, we would have seen lots of really good crime thrillers from all over the world. The topic of discussion today is the malayalam thriller film Anjaam pathiraa and why it differs from other indian thrillers.

Normally, Indian thrillers tend to focus on the serial killer,more than the protagonist. Take the case of the Tamil movie Ratchasan, arguably one of the best Indian thrillers in recent times.

In the opening 10 minutes of the film, we get to know that Arun the protagonist, is an aspiring film director who has in depth knowledge on serial killers, courtesy his research for his story. Circumstances force him to join the police force and he has to put his knowledge on serial killers to good use. This is all we need to know about the protagonist to empathize with him for the remaining 120 minutes.

Like all Indian thrillers, in Ratchasan too, the case becomes personal for the protagonist by the midpoint.

We, the audience, want to know why the killer does what he does and if his reasons aren’t convincing enough we are left disappointed.

But unlike the Indian Films, international movie makers who have made thrillers do not concentrate on the emotional aspect of the serial killer but on the investigation itself.

From Bong Jon Ho’s Memories of Murder to David Fincher’s Seven, they tend to delve on the protagonist who investigates the crime and the effect of his obsession on solving the case on his personal life.

Like Robert the cartoonist in Zodiac, Psychologist Anwar Hussein in Anjaam pathiraa is also obsessed with tracking down the serial killer. None of the victims were known to him and yet he shows an unnatural drive to catch the culprit. We cannot even attribute this as a moral obligation and both the above mentioned protagonists are not cops too. So the duty angle is also invalid.

Unlike Ratchasan, at no point in the movie, does the case become personal for Anwar. He takes an active part in the investigation, simply because he is intrigued by serial killers.

Yes. Anjaam Pathiraa does have a flashback portion that explains the killers motive but the story does not depend on the plausibility of the reason, rather on the emotional turmoil Anwar goes through to solve the case.

Anjaam Pathiraa is not India’s answer to international crime thrillers but its definitely a new attempt and a step in the right direction.

– Movie M

I think cinema is the mother of Abstracts, for cinema cannot be contained by a definition. And people who try to do so, fail miserably.

The beauty of cinema, is that, it can be anything a person wants it to be. Entertainment to someone seeking entertainment. An art form to be respected for most filmmakers. And some people even attach spiritual importance to cinema.

Cinema is one of the most inclusive of all artforms. Anyone with an inherent passion and little bit of talent can learn cinema, but not wholly. Nobody can claim to have learnt cinema completely. Period.

Whilst talking about the inclusivity of cinema, we must discuss the filmmaking greats of classical, modern and even the current post-modern times. No two filmmakers of value are alike. To each his own sense of aesthetic and style.

Because of the corona virus, the entire world has been locked down and that includes movie theaters to (unfortunately). But thank good we live in the age of smartphones, that we are facing no lack of content, thanks to online streaming platforms. Although most movie lovers would agree with me when i say that nothing beats the experience of watching a movie in theaters. So, signing off its Movie monk waiting for theaters to reopen.

– movie monk

Thanks for joining me!

Good company in a journey makes the way seem shorter. — Izaak Walton