A spoof? A satire? Or just a critical look at the educational system? Whatever Udumban (U) is or isn't, it is definitely not a hero's adventurous trip with a monitor lizard, as the title suggests. Or probably its killer claws are a metaphor for schools that milk parents dry! Of course, you do have the creature featured in a few scenes but it doesn't form the pivot of the story till the climax.
Udumban is more like a mega serial on the big screen mainly because of the pathetic RR. Silent for long stretches, even at crucial junctures, and loud at others, music is a marring factor of Udumban . So is the crude handling of the theme.
The protagonist,
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Logic-wise
Sunil, the villainous brother, is a hilarious caricature. A combination of Nambiar and P.S. Veerappa, the film baddies of the 1950s and 60s, his overt expressions, incessant growls, constantly raised eyebrows and rubbing of palms in a menacing fashion are unbelievably comical! And the more serious he gets, the funnier he is. You don't understand whether they are taking a dig at our villains of yore or Sunil's over-act is allowed to touch the nadir purposelessly! Sana and Geethika from Kerala are the heroines. But it is Kambam Meena, as the mother of Udumban, who utilises her opportunity well.
Private schools hoodwinking the Government and circumventing the law to charge exorbitant amounts as fee, the trauma of parents who succumb to the demands because of the sad state of affairs in some of the Government-run schools in the villages that have a single teacher handling Classes I to X form the story of
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Udumban
Genre: Action?
Director: S. Balan
Cast: Dilip Rogger, Sunil, Sana, Geethika, Kambam Meena
Storyline: A thief decides to start a school because the modus operandi seems only slightly different but is more rewarding.
Bottomline: If the script is frivolous, even a strong subject can come to nought. Udumban is an example.