Review– Lucky Star
Producer– Milan Jaleel
Director– Deepu Anthikkad
Cast– Jayaram, Rachana Narayanankutty, Pooja Ramachandran, Mukesh, T G Ravi etc.
Music– Ratheesh Vega
Cinematography-Vijay Ulakanath
Review By : Unni R Nair (Kerala9.com )
‘Lucky Star’ is worth a watch, especially for the family audience. I won’t say it’s great movie or that it’s something that you have never seen before. The Jayaram starrer, directed by debutant Deepu Anthikkad, discusses surrogacy and the surrogate mother vs. real parents issue, which was the subject of the 1989 film ‘Dasharatham’, directed by Sibi Malayil and starring Mohanlal in the lead (there of course have been films in other languages on this subject and related subjects). But still, ‘Lucky Star’ is decent stuff, neatly packaged and presented and with the emotional element almost intact.
Ranjith (Jayaram) is a tailor based in Chennai and he caters to all kinds of customers, including costume designers in films. He lives in Chennai along with his wife Janaki (Rachana Narayanankutty) and their little daughter. Though they are in the midst of all kinds of financial worries, they dream of big things, like getting their daughter admitted in one of the most prestigious schools in Chennai, earning big money by setting up a garments factory in a shop that Ranjith has acquired in an industrial area and such other things. Janaki also spares no occasion to boast of big things to neighbours and is a bit of a snob too. It’s in the meantime that Dr. John Chittilapally (Mukesh), a doctor who specializes in infertility treatment and whom Ranjith had met once, comes seeking Ranjith’s help in finding a surrogate mother for the baby of a US-based Malayalee couple. Ranjith and John go about searching for a surrogate mother, but end up finding no one. Finally, when it dawns on Janaki that they could gain a fortune (10 lacs rupees is the remuneration promised) if she agrees to being the surrogate mother. Ranjith and Janaki thus agree to take it. The agreement is signed. Thus Janaki gives birth to the NRI couple’s son, with plans to hand it over to them the very next day after the delivery. Neither Janaki nor Ranjith has any qualms about it; they are focused on the money they are to get (They had received an advance of Rs. 5 lacs and would get the remaining amount when the child is delivered to the NRI parents). But little do they know that the NRI parents won’t turn up for the child. From here the story takes a turn…
So now you have an idea of what the story is all about; and you perhaps think you know what all is going to happen afterwards. You may be partially right and partially wrong. Anyway, the story develops from here and moves on, as expected, towards an emotionally charged climax. But Deepu Anthikkad somehow manages to tone down the melodrama element, making it bearable and even enjoyable. The script, the performance and the narration is good and ‘Lucky Star’ thus turns out to be a decent watch, for the family audience and for the general audience as well. I bet you won’t have objections watching the movie…
Performance
Jayaram plays the character of Ranjith in his usual style and is very much convincing. Rachana Narayanankutty, who makes her big screen debut playing Janaki, gives a very impressive performance. Equally impressive is debutante Pooja Ramachandran, as the NRI Swapna. Mukesh is his very usual self as Dr. John Chittilapally. T G Ravi doesn’t have much to do. Same is the case with Mamukoya. The child artists are all good.
Technical aspects
Cinematography by Vijay Ulaganath is good; V T Sreejith Menon has rendered full support as the editor.
Music
The background score suits the mood of the film. The songs too are fine and may remain popular for some time.
Script
Deepu Anthikkad has done a well-balanced work of the script. Of course there is no denying the fact that the subject could have been handled in a better manner. There definitely are many ways to tell a story or a theme, Deepu Anthikkad has done it the way he wanted to and his script-work is fairly good.
Direction
Deepu Anthikkad is in full control of things. The way he has directed ‘Lucky Star’, in the years to come, he may emerge as one of the popular filmmakers in mainstream Malayalam cinema.
Verdict– Decent watch, especially for the family audience!
Rating: 2.5/5