Date:05/08/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/08/05/stories/2008080550080200.htm

Kerala

Loan shark turns altruist Film Review

Parunthu

Parunthu, directed by M. Padmakumar, tells the tale of an unscrupulous moneylender who turns an altruist. But, with a weak storyline, it fails to convince the viewers.

Purushotaman (Mammootty), aka ‘Parunthu’ (Eagle), is a loan shark known to be rough and cruel in his dealings, in his greed for wealth. Born out of wedlock, he was neglected by his mother (Sabitha) as a child.

Purushotaman has a business rival in Azeez (Jayan). He also incurs the displeasure of Hemant Bhai (Jagathi Sreekumar), a Gujarati businessman who owes him money. Azeez befriends Hemant Bhai’s daughter and arranges to repay Puroshataman’s money. The enmity with Azeez’s family culminates in an incident which changes Puroshataman’s outlook towards life.

Mammootty excels in his role as the cruel moneylender. Others in the cast include Cochin Haneefa, Mammukoya, Devan, Saiju Kurup, Augustine, Balachandran Chullikad, Suraj Venjaramood and Nisha.

G. Jayakumar