ARM review: A landmark film in Tovino Thomas’ career

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First, we meet Kunjikelu (Tovino), a Kalaripayattu warrior from Haripuram, tasked by the King to drive out non-native miscreants who have taken control of the market. Upon successfully completing his mission, the King offers him any reward of his choice and Kunjikelu requests the Chiyyothi Vilakku (Chiyyothi Lamp), a powerful idol forged from a meteor that struck Haripuram years ago. The King agrees and Kunjikelu returns to his village with the dream of installing the lamp in a place accessible to people of all castes. However, his efforts are in vain, as the idol becomes the ‘property’ of the savarna.

In the second timeline, we meet Maniyan (Tovino), a thief with exceptional martial arts skills and the speed of a leopard, who terrorises the elites of Haripuram. Despite numerous efforts, the police fail to capture him. Born into a lowered caste, Maniyan, his wife Manikyam (Surabhi Lakshmi) and their daughter endure constant harassment from the powerful, but only when Maniyan is away since no one in Haripuram can challenge him. However, his attempt to steal the Chiyyothi Vilakku, intending to gift it to Manikyam after she faces a humiliating incident at the Chiyyothi Kaavu (temple), backfires. He is rounded up and killed by the locals.

The third storyline centres around Ajayan (Tovino), Maniyan’s grandson, who works as an electrician. Despite his efforts to distance himself from his grandfather’s ‘legacy,’ the elite in Haripuram view him with suspicion, labelling him a potential thief. His only solace comes from his relationship with Lakshmi (Krithi Shetty), belonging to an affluent family. Ajayan has only committed theft once, as a child, and vows to steal only one more time — referring to his planned eloping with Lakshmi. However, his life takes an unexpected turn when his fate becomes entwined with the Chiyyothi Vilakku, forcing him to follow in his grandfather’s footsteps. Will he or won’t he: that forms the rest of the film.

One of the film’s greatest strengths is its ability to elevate the hero to extraordinary heights, a goal in which both Jithin and Sujith succeed. From Tovino’s very first appearance, the makers never miss an opportunity to deliver impactful moments. While Kunjikelu’s introduction could have benefited from more buildup, given that it’s the first time we see Tovino on screen, the actor’s commanding presence compensates for it. Besides, Maniyan’s story also makes up for the lack of intensity in certain Kunjikelu moments.

Watch Ajayante Randam Moshanam – ARM trailer here:

Jomon T John’s extraordinary cinematography, which gives each era a distinct visual identity suited to the atmosphere of the story, works wonders in Ajayante Randam Moshanam. From close-ups to extreme long shots, are powerful and grand, skillfully capturing the film’s emotional nuances too. In the action sequences, Jomon joins forces brilliantly with editor Shameer Muhammed, delivering high-energy moments that never feel dull or sluggish. Vikram Mor and Pheonix Prabhu’s action choreography also deserves significant recognition for the freshness of the stunt sequences. They avoid relying on typical pan-India or mass-masala templates, instead crafting each fight to feel authentic and aligned with local martial arts and the eras depicted. However, the number of slow-motion shots could have been halved, as their overuse becomes noticeable.

Unlike most films set in bygone eras where the antagonists are typically the British or foreign invaders, Ajayante Randam Moshanam addresses casteism and highlights how the savarna seek to confine the oppressed to their ‘hereditary occupations,’ preventing them from breaking free from these imposed roles. Since Maniyan was a thief, Ajayan is targeted by the locals, who try to prove that he too must be one. Even in the 1990s, Ajayan and his mother (Rohini) are still barred from entering Chiyyothi Kaavu, supposedly because of Maniyan’s past crime — though it’s clear this is just a pretext to deny entry to lowered caste. In Ajayan’s home, we see portraits of Babasaheb BR Ambedkar and Ayyankali on the walls, as well as Ajayan teaching local children about their constitutional rights. Meanwhile, we meet Sudev Varma (Harish Uthaman), an outsider who claims to have dropped his caste surname, in line with a popular trend. But, Lakshmi’s father quickly points out that dropping the name doesn’t erase his family’s legacy. Soon, we see Sudev visibly irritated when a Dalit man touches him and later, Ajayan being forced by him into robbery for his gain, underscoring how savarnas removing their caste names is far from the revolutionary act they claim it to be and does nothing to eliminate the deep-seated casteism within them.

Actor Tovino Thomas appears in three roles in Ajayante Randam Moshanam. (Image: Tovino/Facebook)

Sujith’s script, however, seems to hold back at certain points, likely due to concerns about backlash, given that it’s a mainstream film. This restraint was unnecessary, especially since the movie centres around Ajayan and Maniyan. While Sujith occasionally struggles with smoothly transitioning between timelines, the material from each storyline is well-balanced, with Ajayan’s narrative getting the most screen time rightfully, followed closely by Maniyan’s. Although the writer does a good job of fleshing out the major characters, Sudev doesn’t quite live up to the buildup, partly because of the overt focus on Ajayan. By drawing parallels between events in Maniyan’s and Ajayan’s lives, Sujith also transforms their village into a key character, highlighting the superficiality of both the place and its people.

From beginning to end, Ajayante Randam Moshanam is a Tovino Thomas showcase, with the actor excelling in all three roles. He brings clear distinctions to each character and his nuanced performances as Kelu, Maniyan and Ajayan emphasise his skills as an actor. His dedication to the physically demanding action sequences also pays off. Tovino’s chemistry with his co-stars, including Krithi Shetty, Surabhi Lakshmi, Jagadish (as Naanu, Maniyan’s friend) and Basil Joseph (as KP Suresh, Ajayan’s friend), is also remarkable.

Despite Malayalam not being her first language, Krithi Shetty shines as Lakshmi, with her lip-syncing being impressively accurate, unlike many non-Malayalam actors. Surabhi Lakshmi, Jagadish, Basil Joseph and Sudheesh also deliver strong performances in their respective roles. Meanwhile, Rohini, Aishwarya Rajesh, Harish Uthaman and Biju Kuttan leave a mark, despite their characters lacking depth.

Dhibu Ninan Thomas’s background score stands out, especially in the mass-appeal moments, though his songs are not all equally memorable. Gokuldas’s production design, Praveen Varma’s costume design and Ronex Xavier’s makeup also deserve recognition for their contributions.

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In short, like Rajavinte Makan (1986) was for Mohanlal, New Delhi (1987) was for Mammootty and Commissioner (1994) was for Suresh Gopi, Ajayante Randam Moshanam is a landmark film in Tovino Thomas’ career.

Ajayante Randam Moshanam – ARM movie cast: Tovino Thomas, Krithi Shetty, Aishwarya Rajesh, Basil Joseph, Surabhi Lakshmi
Ajayante Randam Moshanam – ARM movie director: Jithin Laal
Ajayante Randam Moshanam – ARM movie rating: 3.5 stars