Maryadaraman Malayalam Movie Review

The trend and pattern of Dileep movie continue yet again. A remake of Telugu film Maryada Ramanna directed by Rajamouli which later went to Bollywood as Son of Sardaar, Ivan Maryadaraman tells a very predictable story with humour and drama. Scripted by Sibi and Udayakrishna combo and directed by Suresh Divakar, the movie has tried its best to make sure it cater well to a target audience especially those who look for some fun and light hearted humour. To that extent the film has done justice to that objective. A one time watchable average film narrated in a conventional way, Ivan Maryadaraman is that type of a film that runs on predictable fashion right from the start till the finish.

There is a three decade old rivalry between Ravanapuram and Ramapuram due to a dispute for the ownership of a temple. Raman who was working in a rice mill in Pune looses his job and reach his native place to claim some money in his name but lands up in Ravanapuram instead of Ramapuram. He is literally in a trap there and rest of the film focus on how he gets out of the mess.

It doesn't matter if you have seen the original version or for that matter the Hindi version that had Ajay Devgan in lead. Sibi and Udayakrishna are quite used to these type of scripts and having written many a screenplay on similar mould, they are in a comfort zone now eventhough things are becoming too repetitive. The good thing they have done here is the total avoidance of unwanted adult jokes. But the bad thing is that the film runs too long for two hours and forty four minutes.

Direction by Suresh Divakar is old school one but it should be the right one when approaching a script like this. Screenplay is on expected lines and predictable as well. Dialogues were okay. Cinematography and edits were good. Same about the background score. The set especially where the house where the event unfold once the main protagonist reach Ravanapuram is a grand one and the art director deserves a word of mention here.

On the acting front, Dileep the right man for such roles has definitely lived up to his billing. In a safe zone for such roles, he was in total control of things. Nikki Galrani as the female lead did her part without any flaws. Not sure about the actor who played the heroine's father but the powerful character was safe in his hands whose voice was nicely dubbed by Shammi Thilakan. Saju Navodaya, Thara Kalyan, Sunil Sugadha, Kailash, Abu Salim and Sudhir are also part of the cast and they were convincing in their respective roles. Suraj Venjaramood's voice is used for the Hercules cycle and it was a bit annoying at first but later gelled well.

Overall the film is average for me that has nothing new to offer but still entertain you in parts. I would go with two and a half out of five for Ivan Maryadaraman.

Rating - 2.5 / 5