The “Malayalam Cinema Today” package was inaugurated today morning at the Kairali theatre at 11 30 by the Chalachitra Academy Chairman K.R.Mohanan. The first film of the package was Lenin Rajendran’s “Makaramanju” [ Mist of Capricon]. All the leading actors and some crew members were felicitated before the film screening.

Probably because of the mass publicity that was given for the film with large banners at most of the IFFK Venues, scores thronged the theatres to watch the film. A large number of the delegates could not be seated and those who didn’t give in to the lack of seats, sat on the floor to watch the film.

The film has a star highlight with its cast. The most renowned cinematographer of the country, Santhosh Sivan wears the garbs of the hero of this movie. The heroine is Ms Karthika, the daughter of the prominent actress in South India, Ms Radha. The movie has a historical setting that narrates the tale of the great artist, Raja Ravi Varma and the ancient mythological story of Pururavas and Urvashi.

“Makaramanju” elucidates a tragic incident behind one of the greatest painting of Ravi Varma which has a strong parallel connotation to his own life. The film draws an extremely romantic parallel between Puraravas and Urvashi with Ravi Varma and a dancer, Sugandha Bhai. Alike the unfulfilled love of the former that broke soon after Urvashi was called back to heaven as a repudiation of her curses, Ravi Varma also fails in his love with Sugandha, but could never gain her.

Lenin Rajendran has beautifully picturised the true artistic designs and ambience of the ancient time, yet a large section of the audience has very low opinion. The movie can be appreciated for his excellent picturisation of romantic scenes and also the scenic landscapes, but the entire movie is stretched out of a very thin thread, says Kiran an upcoming film maker. The high expectations the film had raised in the audience’s mind in the beginning could not be retained till the end. Yet another cineaste says that, “the film is an excellent endeavour by Lenin Rajendran, especially the stunning climax with which the movie is brought to a close is really amazing”. Though with a mixed flavour of opinion, “Makaramanju” stands apart as a film that could not do justice to its much hyped colourful banners littering the theatres.