Bheeshma Parvam Review: Mammootty towers in this family saga

‘Bheeshma Parvam’ begins with a neatly staged homage to its inspiration, ‘The Godfather’. Mammootty’s Michael is upstairs listening to the woes of a woman whose son has just been murdered in a case of honour killing. It instantly reminds one of Don Corleone’s introduction scene. Like Coeleone, Michael has a commanding presence and gives instructions to his trusted aide, Krishnankutty (Abu Salim). Meanwhile, the whole family has gathered for a birthday function and it is immediately established that who all are in loggerheads with Michael.

Michael is the youngest son of a powerful gangster family named Anjooty and is now their patriarch. The opening scene has an auto driver gives a clear picture of the family members and their interpersonal dynamics. The film is a retelling of ‘Mahabharatha’ and the characters are sketched smartly based on the mythical figures in the Indian epic. The star-studded cast include Soubin Shahir, Sreenath Bhasi, Anagha, Nadhiya Moidu, Farhaan Faasil, Dileesh Pothan, Shine Tom Chacko, ‘Kettyolaan Ente Malakha’ fame Veena Nandakumar, Sudev Nair, ‘Pushpa’ fame Anasuya, Maala Parvathi, Harish Uthaman, Hsebin Benson, Nisthar Sait and Lena.

Amal Neerad and his co-writer Devadath Shaji have borrowed ideas from the two classics to etch a family saga with a plethora of important characters. Shine Tom Chacko’s Peter is a cocaine-snorting angry young man, who is desperate to break free from Michael’s clutches. Farhaan Fazil plays his brother. The two are Michael’s nephews, who have failed in all their business ventures and hold severe grudge against Michael. Paralley, there’s Ajaz and Ami, the other nephews closer to Michael, whom they fondly call Michaelappan. There’s Dileesh Pothan as a crooked politician, Jinu Joseph as a scheming priest and Sudev Nair as the revenge-seeking gangster from Mumbai.

Amal Neerad’s films are known for their technical finesse than the novelty in the plot, and ‘Bheeshma Parvam’ is a telling example for that. Anend C Chandran’s stylish cinematography and Sushin Shyam’s thumping score enhances the big screen experience. Mammootty’s terrific screen presence along with commendable performances from all the actors make it an wholesome film. The short but memorable cameos by the legends, Nedumudi Venu and KPAC Laitha are the cherries on the top. The only beef probably is the rushed ending. It is one of those films which would’ve been better if it had a slightly longer run time.

‘Bheeshma Parvam’ is worth every single penny spent for a theatre ticket to just watch Mammootty acing it in a mass avatar. The megastar is at the top of his game. Amal Neerad teams up to make it even more memorable.