You can always expect an exhilarating journey when Malayalam actor Fahadh Faasil stars in and produces a film. In addition, the picture is directed by the man behind the smash blockbuster Romancham, making it a must-see. Fahadh Faasil plays Ranga in Aavesham, and he’s joined by a bunch of new performers that make this gangster comedy hilarious.
Similar to Jithu Madhavan’s previous film, Aavesham centres on a group of college students and is set in Bengaluru. In an attempt to keep themselves from being ragged, three migrant Malayali college students—Bibi (Midhun), Aju (Hipster), and Shanthan (Roshan Shanavas)—decide to band together. However, this backfires, as they end up being abducted and brutally attacked by their seniors for a continuous two days.
The three then decide that, despite lacking “local support,” they still intend to exact revenge. They go to a lot of seedy places in their search for local support in the hopes of making friends with a local gangster who can assist them in their insane scheme. And that’s where the three eventually meet Ranga—who sticks out like a sore thumb—at Mayuri Bar.
Ranga definitely stands out since, in addition to his immaculate white shirt and jeans, he is covered in solid gold chains, bracelets and rings that would make a jewellery store blush. Amban, his right-hand man (Sajin Gopu), exalts his employer to the three youngsters, who believe him to be a cartoon, by telling them tales of his glories. Ranga seems like a gangster but doesn’t physically touch anyone. So how is he a gangster they wonder. Pretty soon they find out what power he yields and drag Ranga into their college politics with their seniors. What happens next forms the rest of the story.
Aavesham is a well-written gangster comedy and director Jithu Madhavan has proved his mettle yet again. His uncanny ability to pick new actors (like Midhun, Hipster and Roshan) who are apt and superb in their roles is a huge plus in this film as well. While the college story is an oft-seen one in films, it is Ranga’s character that is pivotal to making it a mass masala comic caper. The dialogues add a lot of humour to the film and the director has ensured that the boys, Ranga and Amban have their equal share of witty ones to keep the audience in splits.
Ultimately, the casting of Fahadh Faasil as Ranga was brilliant since the star doesn’t do too many massy masala films. When it comes to performance, Fahadh Faasil is undoubtedly the star of Aavesham. He carries the film effortlessly on his shoulders and his sense of comedy comes through perfectly in his various expressions and gestures. For instance, the little dance he does after his shower gives us the funny side of this dreaded gangster. All in all, the talented Fahadh Faasil has put his indelible stamp on Ranga and one can’t imagine another actor essaying this role.
The movie will particularly appeal to young people, not only because of its content but also because music director Sushin Shyam wrote some really cool and contemporary tunes. Sameer Thahir’s cinematography is excellent, however certain parts may have been cut out of the edited version, which leaves room for improvement.
Not only is Aavesham a brilliantly crafted movie, but Fahadh Faasil is hilarious in the masala caper.
