According to IMDb, Anish Varma was the producer behind the hit 2003 Malayalam film "Thilakkam". More than a decade later, he finally debuts as a director and hits the right spot with his second feature, this heartbreaking drama.
Kalabhavan Mani plays the father of a young girl who is sent to the city for her studies. He has a lot of expectations from her, and regards her highly. Sadiq plays his friend who, along with his wife, had taken care of the daughter for most part of her young life when her father was financially and mentally down. It is due to bad company that this daughter is forced into a risqué lifestyle, ultimately breaking the heart of the man who lived just to see her happy and successful. From here, the story takes a virulent turn, throwing the lives of all the people involved into a tizzy.
Director Varma narrates the story well, and succeeds in engaging his viewers from the first shot itself. The backwaters area is perfect setup for a lower-class family, which helps in the overall showcase of people and their dreams. Basing the primary social theme on them works for Varma as we begin to relate the story with countless stories that we read in news almost every day. What Mani's character goes through in the film is highly heart-rending, and the consequences are even more dreadful.
With crisp performances and average-quality production, the film is a decent attempt at conveying a strong message reminiscent of Hindi and English films. We have to laud Varma and his team's efforts at making this one bearable, compared to the garbage that is thrown at us in the mainstream scene.
BOTTOM LINE: One of Mani's final films, Anish Varma's "Yathra Chodikkathe" is a satisfactory drama about a social theme where the daughter accuses her own father of a heinous crime just so she can enjoy the lifestyle that she chose at her whim. Watch it on YouTube and shed some tears.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
