Dinjith Ayyathan’s ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ has a few pitfalls without doubt, but is also a film that would be discussed for the very valid theme that it purports. There is a charm to the old school style of film making that he so assertively flaunts, and an appeal in his confidence to bank on substance over style.
There are films that are elevated to a loftier level by a singular, outstanding performance – one that you adoringly carry back home with you – and Dinjith Ayyathan’s ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ is one such, where its lead female performer, Fara Shibla knocks you down with a whopper of a performance that very often rises above the script.
Ammini is Shajith Kumar’s (Ahamed Siddique) pet name that he abhors, and the young man’s vacation from the Gulf turns into a daymare, when his family ushers him into the office of a matrimonial firm, en route home from the airport. Before he knows it, he finds himself flabbergasted at the reception of his own wedding with Kanthi (Fara Shibla), who strikes him on first sight, as a bit too over weight.
His travails do not really end there, and when night falls, he finds himself usurped out of his bed space, and stares unbelievingly at the intruder who has taken up a three quarter of the bed. Unaware of the horror that she had instilled in him, Kanthi snores away to glory, but in seven days finds the earth around her giving in, when her husband screams that he wants a divorce.
Kanthi in ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ is an icon of hundreds of men and women who have absolutely no idea as to what struck them, when caught in a tumultuous relationship that does not rise up to their partner’s demands. Kanthi tragically admits that she isn’t really sure why Shajith hates her so much, and decides to wait it out, hoping he will see sense.
And yet, ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ is as much about Kanthi, as it is about Shajith himself, and the key reason why this film would be special to me, is in its refusal to be judgemental. It does not, in any manner, force Shajith to don the harasser costume nor that of the insensitive brute who fails to see reason. Rather, here is a man who is frail and who admits it, of having led a cloistered life all along, and hoping to spend the rest of his life with someone who looks like Sumalatha. He admits that he has plenty of follies, and asks if despite all these, he doesn’t have the right to have a few personal choices of his own.
‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ thus makes it extremely difficult for us to take sides, and we surely want both of these troubled souls to win, which they eventually do. Ammini approaches advocate Pradeepan (Asif Ali) to argue his case, but little does the lawyer expect the young man to shift base to his office when thrown out of the house, and his soon-to-be estranged wife following suit not much later.
The lawyer runs a plot path of his own – one that involves his own political aspirations – which pulls the film off its focus, and forces it to lose track. It even seems for a while after the midway point, that the film is headed straight for doom, but Kanthi, who had mysteriously disappeared for a while makes a reappearance, and salvages the film. Thereafter, it has a smooth sail towards a predictable, yet acceptable climax.
As much impressive as Shibla’s performance might seem, ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ would also be remembered for a stupendous performance from Ahamed Siddique. The coy, unsure and confused husband is etched to perfection by the actor, who makes you want to reach out to him and hug him tight, as much skeptical you are about his decisions. This is an easy walkover for Asif Ali, who lets the couple hog the limelight for a change and plays his bit with an effortless charm. Srikant Murali, Basil Joseph, Vijayaraghavan, Sivadas Kannur and Aswathi Manoharan lend support.
Dinjith Ayyathan’s ‘O.P.160/18 Kakshi Amminipilla’ has a few pitfalls without doubt, but is also a film that would be discussed for the very valid theme that it purports. There is a charm to the old school style of film making that he so assertively flaunts, and an appeal in his confidence to bank on substance over style.
Verdict: Promising Directorial Debut