Revisiting Ayalum Njanum Thammil: Pratap Pothen & Prithviraj outshine each other in this underrated gem

An orphan with an intellectual disability (Thakara), a man obsessed with his two roosters (Aaravam), a college student in love with his lecturer (Chamaram), and a troubled man with an aversion towards prostitutes (Moodu Pani) — the late Pratap Pothen had a knack for portraying the most atypical and flawed characters on-screen with effortless ease. It wasn't for the lack of being offered roles that would have made him a ‘star’ like his fellow actors of the 80s, it was because he preferred to stay away from the limelight. Instead, he played supporting characters with genuine sincerity and perfection that remain etched in the minds of cinephiles even today.

Pothen had a great run as an actor in the 80s, having worked with distinguished filmmakers such as Barathan, Padmarajan, Balu Mahendra, and K Balachander. But his talents were not limited to acting alone. Less than a decade after making his acting debut, he ventured into screenwriting and direction with the Tamil film Meendum Oru Kaathal Kathai, which earned him the National Award for best debut director. And although he boasts an impressive filmography that includes some of the finest Malayalam films ever made, the current generation of moviegoers are more familiar with his comeback films. When he returned to the Malayalam industry after two decades, he partnered with 'new gen' filmmakers such as Aashiq Abu and Anjali Menon. No one could have aced the role of a charming middle-aged man who later turns out to be a remorseless sexual predator better than Pothen in Abu’s 22 Female Kottayam (2012). The same year, he starred alongside Prithviraj Sukumaran in Lal Jose’s Ayalum Njanum Thammil (Between Him and Me). Both the film and his character struck a chord with the young and old alike. 

In Ayalum Njanum Thammil, Pothen plays Dr. Samuel, a committed physician who doesn't compromise on his principles or medical ethics. But before we are introduced to Dr. Samuel, the narrative acquaints us with the film’s protagonist Ravi Tharakan (Prithviraj Sukumaran). The film opens with Tharakan, a cardiothoracic surgeon, operating on a child without the parents’ consent. Things take a turn when the child dies. Tharakan, who is forced to flee the scene, meets with an accident and goes missing. The case gains media attention and the hospital management decides to take strict action against him. The plot then progresses through the perspectives of three individuals — Diya (Rima Kallingal), a staff at Tharakan’s hospital; Dr. Vivek (Narain), Tharakan’s friend and former classmate; and Dr. Supriya (Remya Nambeesan), Tharakan’s former colleague. Through them we learn about Tharakan’s past, his medical college days, his love interest, and how the time spent with Dr. Samuel changed the course of his life. 

Bobby and Sanjay’s screenplay swings between the past and the present to portray Tharakaran’s evolution from a carefree and undependable junior doctor with a devil-may-care attitude, to a respected surgeon under the mentorship of Dr. Samuel. When Tharakan chose to join the Redemption Hospital in Munnar as part of his mandatory rural stint, all he wanted was to somehow complete the service and acquire his MBBS degree. Instead, he embarks on a journey of redemption and learns valuable lessons about life and his profession from Samuel. The unique bond between Tharakan and Samuel is the heart and soul of this film which makes one laugh, cry, and introspect. 

Prithviraj is phenomenal as Tharakan. This was a role tailor-made for him and he handles it with maturity and subtlety. The most heartwarming scene in the film involves Tharakan touching the feet of a girl as an act of seeking an apology for refusing to treat her. It is one of the best performances in Prithviraj’s 20-year career, and it didn’t come as a surprise when he was awarded the Kerala State Award for Best Actor for this film. But on a few occasions, Pothen outshines the lead actor. It’s a delight to watch him play Samuel. He successfully conveys the different sides of a senior doctor who may seem authoritative and overbearing at first but is loving and kindhearted. Samuel considers even the most negligible mistakes in his profession as a great crime. In a scene, Tharakan denies treatment to a girl who is brought to the hospital in critical condition. Despite repeated pleas from the staff and the girl’s parents, he refuses to budge an inch. Samuel who arrives at the hospital much later treats the child before placing a slap on Tharakan’s face. No dialogue is said. But Pothen’s acting is so intense that it would make anyone sit up and take notice. These two men and their endearing characters take the film forward without being overly melodramatic or preachy. 

Ayalum Njanum Thammil also has several subplots, which make up a significant portion of the film. Tharakan’s friendship with Vivek, his romance with Sainu (Samvrutha Sunil), and his enmity with a police officer (Kalabhavan Mani) connect well with the overall theme and feel of the film. Narain, Samvrutha Sunil, Kima Kallingal, Remya Nambeesan, Kalabhavan Mani, Salim Kumar, Sidhartha Siva, and Sukumari complete the cast of the film. 

The film is also a break from Lal Jose’s usual formula. It can easily be considered his best outing as he successfully manages to draw the audience toward the characters and their lives. In an interview, screenwriters Bobby and Sanjay revealed that the screenplay of the film was highly inspired by Bobby’s own experiences as a doctor. It is tightly knit and there is never a dull moment across the narrative. Jomon T John’s cinematography enhances the look and feel of the film, while Ouseppachan’s music is melancholic yet enlivening. By the end of the film, you’ll find yourself listening to the track Azhalinte Azhangalil on loop.

Ayalum Njanum Thammil is a compelling story with brilliant direction and top-notch cinematography. But what makes the film special is its actors, especially Pratap Pothen. Screenwriters Bobby and Sanjay recently mentioned that a word that would describe Dr. Samuel of Ayaalum Njanum Thammil would be ‘divine’. Their words would resonate with audiences as well. 

You can watch the film here.