Film: Oru Second Class Yathra
Cast: Vineeth Sreenivasan, Chemban Vinod, Nikki Galrani, Nedumudi Venu
Direction: Jexson Antony-Rejis Antony
Getting the right mix between comedy and drama seems to have been the primary concern for the duo Jexson Antony and Rejis Antony who wrote and directed Oru Second Class Yathra . This becomes much too evident in the second half, where a scene of high tension and tragedy in the flashback cuts abruptly to a light-hearted one happening in the present.
The whole film is thus a kind of juggling to ensure that the audience are not worn down by too much sadness or affected by too much laughter.
Two police officers (Sreejith Ravi and Joju), who are sworn rivals, are taking two criminals, Nandu (Vineeth Sreenivasan) and Maaran (Chemban Vinod), from Kannur to Thiruvananthapuram Central Jail. Midway, one of them escapes and the other three set off to trace him.
The supposed shock value of the film rests in the mystery surrounding Vineeth’s character.
So his back story is revealed little by little, unlike that of Maaran, which is over in a flash. But one is not shocked as much, even though the secret here is repulsive and depressing enough.
Throughout the movie, Vineeth carries just two expressions, the tense, aloof look that he maintains till the end and a flash of smile in the end. It is Chemban Vinod, as the lovable thief, who makes the proceedings watchable with his natural wit and presence.
Barring a few humorous scenes, Oru Second Class Yathra does not make for a pleasant trip to the cinema.
S.R. Praveen
