Bougainvillea: A tale of tryst with terror while beckoning memories in vain (2024)

[00:00:12] Hi, welcome to Onmanorama Movie Podcast, Start, Action, Cut. Today we are discussing the movie Bougainvillea, directed by Amal Neerath, based on the book Truth in the Logam by Lajo Jos. The film stars Yotur Mai, Kunjako Boban, Pahad Fasil in lead roles.

[00:00:29] So we have Swati and Deepa here. Deepa had read the book a couple of years ago and she had then wished someone made the film out of it. Now Deepa, how far or close is the film to the book?

[00:00:44] Deepa Sanyamu Moraless, The Central Story is the same. They have, you know, changed many elements. I read the book long back, you know, in 2021 or 22, so I don't remember exact details.

[00:00:55] Deepa Sanyamu Moraless, But, you know, this is what more or less I remember. Most of the character names they have changed and in the book the setting is Bengaluru, but in the movie as you know, it is Iduki.

[00:01:07] Deepa Sanyamu Moraless, The Element of Morganvillea's Importance in the movie, that much is not there in the book. You know, there are passing references but you won't see that much of importance for this particular element in the book.

[00:01:21] And I also don't think the police characters get so much of a space in the book as much as it gets in the movie.

[00:01:29] So as a person who hasn't read the book, how was your movie experience for you? Because though I have heard the name Lajo Joss, I haven't read much of his books. So how was it?

[00:01:42] And actually, when I googled the pronunciation of the word was Boganvilla. So since the movie's name in Malayalam is given as Boganvilla, we can go ahead with that.

[00:01:57] But now Swati, tell us how was your movie experience of Boganvilla?

[00:02:02] Well, Patamu Kumar, I went in to watch the movie with my sister with high expectations. But before watching the movie, I heard from a few of my friends that it was not that great. But nevertheless, I went ahead.

[00:02:14] And I had my doubts about how the movie is going to go about because I do watch a lot of psychological thrillers in general. But maybe because of that, my excitement, the excitement factor, the curiosity factor, that was not really working for me.

[00:02:28] Because I don't know if it's because of the familiarity I have with the genre, I could actually pinpoint who the culprit is going to be from the beginning itself.

[00:02:35] I was actually telling my sister, okay, this person is suspicious, we'll have to look at how his character is going. And that is exactly what happens.

[00:02:43] So I think for any psychological thriller movie, the most important factor that it should hold our curiosity and there should be something very exciting for us to, you know, just watch until the very end. But that for me was actually missing.

[00:02:56] But definitely Makingwise and the actors, Jyotar Mai, Kunjaku and Fahad, all of them coming together and performing, that was all nice to watch.

[00:03:06] And the movie was actually different from the other Ammal Neer movies that you'd have experienced or watched earlier.

[00:03:12] But genre-revised and the way the story progresses, I was not really convinced.

[00:03:17] Yes. How far the movie thrilled me, it's a different subject altogether.

[00:03:23] But what immersed me in the beginning itself is the premise, the world of Ritu, the protagonist, how it is different from that of others.

[00:03:32] And that she is suffering from a condition called retrograde ammunitia.

[00:03:37] So that catches your attention initially itself.

[00:03:41] So I would say I like the plot structure and it really worked for me.

[00:03:46] And though I already knew the story, it progresses in a very gentle fashion from learning about the loving couple to sowing seeds of some doubts in our minds about each of them and others in their world.

[00:03:57] And slowly and steadily into this big revelation on who is what.

[00:04:03] As there are very few characters to doubt, you also get enough time to think about it and probably guess who might be the culprit here, who might be the villain here.

[00:04:13] So I think that was fun for me.

[00:04:15] So for me, I would say the premise really worked, though I really knew the story.

[00:04:18] Yes, but the predictability as Swati had mentioned earlier is there.

[00:04:23] But how it produces the twists and turns at the right points is something that we need to watch.

[00:04:32] And at the same time...

[00:04:34] But Patmumar, if I can stop you there.

[00:04:37] But are they actually giving out the plot points at the right time?

[00:04:41] Because I felt like the revelations and the way it was progressing or the main points that the movie were putting forward were revealed at the wrong times actually.

[00:04:50] For me, the fact is that is what I am coming up to.

[00:04:54] Like the plots are...

[00:04:56] The twists and turns are placed at the right points.

[00:04:59] But how they flow, whether it flows in a seamless manner is the question.

[00:05:04] I would say for me, no.

[00:05:06] I didn't feel anything is wrong with where what is revealed.

[00:05:10] All those...

[00:05:11] Probably because they worked for me.

[00:05:13] But yeah, this is a common opinion that I hear from many people for whom the movie didn't really work.

[00:05:21] They say that probably it was revealed a little too early.

[00:05:25] The various suspense elements in it.

[00:05:27] That's what I hear.

[00:05:29] Yes, but one thing I have heard from so many people, their views about the movie.

[00:05:34] And I feel that one aspect that was universal was the Amal Neerath factor, the visual brilliance.

[00:05:42] And there is no question about it, the visual marvel.

[00:05:45] So we see the beautiful scenes.

[00:05:48] The place itself, how it has been picturized is what enthralls you.

[00:05:52] And also the music.

[00:05:55] Though the songs are mediocre, and one of the main songs, that Stuti song that was placed in the last...

[00:06:02] I mean, even when the credits roll up, is not part of the whole storyline.

[00:06:08] But what appeals to you is the BGM, which plays a vital role in elevating the mood of the scenes that intend to create.

[00:06:16] So the visual brilliance and the music, the BGM, both of them play a good role, a big role in giving you a very marvelous movie experience.

[00:06:26] That's what I feel.

[00:06:27] Well, if you ask me, I love this Stuti song.

[00:06:30] It's just a promotional song.

[00:06:31] And also the Maravi song right from the time they were out.

[00:06:35] And the Maravi Gale song, I think it's quite haunting and catchy.

[00:06:40] And it paints a perfect picture of Ritu's world, if you ask me.

[00:06:45] The background score, yes.

[00:06:46] At many places, they are the right...

[00:06:49] You know, just enough thrill for us to stay engaged as well.

[00:06:52] At the same time, I felt that sometimes the BGM has very much of a, you know, Varatan effect here and there.

[00:06:59] And there are times when I felt, okay, is it Varatan or Boganvila that I'm watching?

[00:07:05] So that effect was definitely there.

[00:07:07] But regardless, yes, I felt it added just enough thrill for us to stay engaged.

[00:07:13] Yes, as you said, the suspense, the horror, the excitement things come and go, giving you the right mix of suspense thriller.

[00:07:21] I don't...

[00:07:21] I still don't think that the movie gives you the right amount of suspense that a suspense thriller should have.

[00:07:27] Because like you guys, like Patma Kumar mentioned before, or that this is the general opinion that you got from other people.

[00:07:34] The suspense of the movie was revealed way too early.

[00:07:37] So after getting to know who the culprit is, what next is, how are the pull-ups or who...

[00:07:43] How is he going to get caught?

[00:07:45] That is the only thing that is going to be there.

[00:07:47] And that also happens in a very cliche, in a cliche manner, I would say.

[00:07:51] Because I was thinking, okay, would there be something else?

[00:07:55] Would there be actually anything else that could actually come off as interesting towards the end?

[00:08:00] But they do not add anything.

[00:08:02] They just go in a very linear fashion.

[00:08:04] There is a murderer, he gets identified and then he gets caught.

[00:08:09] Nothing new to it.

[00:08:10] So I would not say the movie offers the right amount of suspense to grab your attention till the very end.

[00:08:16] Because for me, it stopped towards the first half.

[00:08:19] Yeah.

[00:08:19] Of course, I don't think that the movie doesn't have that much of suspense.

[00:08:25] It does have.

[00:08:26] But performance-wise also, like Jodhra Maye, she is in films after a long time.

[00:08:31] And we had seen her playing different roles in different movies.

[00:08:36] And now, in this film, I think she is pitch perfect playing the role of a person affected by amnesia.

[00:08:43] And the incidence that's going around her.

[00:08:47] And Kunja Gabobin also does justice to the character of Royce.

[00:08:52] But Fahad Fasil's portrayal of his character proves that no matter how perfect an actor is,

[00:08:58] if the literature is not powerful enough, an actor is helpless.

[00:09:02] So that is what I feel.

[00:09:03] Well, you know, I think Jodhra Maye's role is very meaty, like you said.

[00:09:07] And she's got what it takes to pull off such a complex role, you know, despite a 11-year break.

[00:09:13] I loved Kunja Gabobin's Nanma Maram turned villain show as well,

[00:09:16] especially that last menacing smile that he gives.

[00:09:20] I don't think he has got many characters or films where he had the space or opportunity

[00:09:26] to portray such expressions or emotions on screen.

[00:09:30] Now, Fahad looks sharp as a cop, but definitely, like you said, the writing doesn't give him the opportunity to, you know, shine much.

[00:09:40] And same is the case with others too, I feel.

[00:09:43] For me, I think Jodhra Maye was the person who stood out because a person who is going through,

[00:09:49] who's suffering from amnesia, she is definitely confused.

[00:09:52] She's sad.

[00:09:53] She experiences different forms of emotions and all of that.

[00:09:57] She was able to capture very effectively, I would say.

[00:10:00] There are scenes where she's shown as crying out loud and there are scenes where she's genuinely happy,

[00:10:05] thinking about the, in quotes, children.

[00:10:08] And all of that was extremely convincing to me.

[00:10:11] And one can only wonder or imagine what might be the emotional turmoil or the emotional,

[00:10:17] how a person who's suffering from amnesia would be going through emotionally.

[00:10:20] I can only imagine.

[00:10:21] And that I think she was spot on with her performance.

[00:10:24] Kunjako, I think he could have, this is just my opinion, not that he did a bad job.

[00:10:30] Obviously not.

[00:10:30] He did a decent job, but could have, you know, coming to the second half,

[00:10:35] he could have just slightly brought in a bit more, something different to his character

[00:10:40] so that we'll know that something very menacing is there about him.

[00:10:45] But for me, it felt like just like a normal villainous performance.

[00:10:48] But kudos to him for taking this role up.

[00:10:50] And I did not actually think that he would actually be playing such roles.

[00:10:54] And then again, coming to Fahad, I thought that it was just an extended cameo appearance

[00:10:59] that he had in the movie.

[00:11:00] Because other than that, he looked like a cop.

[00:11:02] He behaved like a cop.

[00:11:03] He talked like a cop.

[00:11:04] But some of the expressions, some of the logics or the dialogues that he delivered

[00:11:09] or that did not sit well with me because there is this line where he says towards the end,

[00:11:14] we were incompetent as cops.

[00:11:16] And I was like, okay, then what was your whole point?

[00:11:20] Because he was the character.

[00:11:22] He was the person who was extremely doubtful about the couple.

[00:11:25] And he was so sure that there was something about Ritu.

[00:11:28] But even then, towards the end, he was extremely late to the scene.

[00:11:32] And he just goes off by giving a tata.

[00:11:36] He just waved his hands and he just went off.

[00:11:38] So that was his relevance in the movie.

[00:11:40] And I was like, okay, why was Fahad needed to play this role?

[00:11:44] Because anybody could have done this.

[00:11:45] There are certain things that didn't work.

[00:11:48] And that's the reason why I cannot call this film, it's not a flawless movie.

[00:11:54] Like Fahad's expression when Kunjago's...

[00:11:57] Actually, I would say there are comical elements in the movie.

[00:12:01] Those are Fahad's expression when Kunjago's character makes a revelation during...

[00:12:06] I mean, after certain questioning.

[00:12:08] So that looked very funny.

[00:12:11] And then there is a dialogue by Royce using a set of curse phrases against Ritu.

[00:12:18] That looked out of place.

[00:12:19] That didn't seem sensible.

[00:12:21] I mean, for a character like that to say, utter those words.

[00:12:25] And in such a fashion.

[00:12:26] And then the funniest thing that I experienced from this movie is the final heroic act by Fahad's character with an armed battalion surrounding the house.

[00:12:39] And when the whole drama is over.

[00:12:41] So those things looked funny.

[00:12:43] I think people would watch it again to get that funny element from this.

[00:12:47] See, I didn't feel like...

[00:12:50] See, I can understand how much you guys...

[00:12:53] How much fun you guys had while watching the film because of these elements.

[00:12:57] But probably I was too engrossed in the proceedings that I didn't feel they were funny.

[00:13:01] But at the same time, like I said before, I felt like I was watching Varatan.

[00:13:07] I don't know.

[00:13:07] Is it because the actors were the same?

[00:13:10] The costumes were similar?

[00:13:12] The setting was quite familiar?

[00:13:14] Yeah.

[00:13:14] Probably because of these reasons, I felt I'm watching the same movie again.

[00:13:19] So that is one thing probably if I can mention as a flaw.

[00:13:22] That is something I felt.

[00:13:24] Other than that, I was more or less happy with the film.

[00:13:28] Is it because there is the presence of Fahad Fahad in the movie?

[00:13:31] Actually, in this film, Fahad is having a quite different role.

[00:13:35] It's not about just Fahad's presence.

[00:13:37] It is the setting.

[00:13:38] You know, the setting of the house.

[00:13:40] More or less the house looks the same as that of Varatan.

[00:13:43] And then, you know, there are actors like Vijaylesh.

[00:13:47] And, you know, even the costumes for that matter, you know, that Western style costumes that Heshire Lakshmi has in Varatan.

[00:13:55] You know, Jyotur Mahi is presented with such costumes in the film.

[00:14:00] Probably more or less these are the reasons that I felt like this.

[00:14:04] Actually, in most of the films that Mamal Neerath makes, the costumes look similar.

[00:14:09] I mean, especially the female characters.

[00:14:13] Yeah.

[00:14:13] But that being said, Jyotur Mahi's whole styling, I absolutely loved her styling.

[00:14:18] The clothes that she was wearing, all of them are very stylish and she was able to pull it off very nicely.

[00:14:24] But having said that, I agree to what Patma Kumar said about the comical elements.

[00:14:28] But because, like I said, I'm not saying that it was extremely easy for you to pick out who the culprit was.

[00:14:34] But once that is figured and everything is set, the way Fahad acts would actually seem funny.

[00:14:40] Because we'd be like, okay, the whole drama.

[00:14:43] So why are you coming now?

[00:14:45] Okay.

[00:14:46] Giving out these expressions.

[00:14:47] Because he still had that very short expression in the very end as if this whole information was extremely new to him.

[00:14:54] Because by then, he should have figured it out.

[00:14:56] There are also some points that who called them, how the news about the things that are happening in that farmhouse reached them is another question.

[00:15:05] Because we don't find anybody calling the police at that moment.

[00:15:10] There is a dialogue of, you know, the criminologist asking Ritu to make the call, right?

[00:15:15] So probably they didn't want to show the act, but it was understood.

[00:15:19] Maybe there was no phone.

[00:15:21] There was no phone call.

[00:15:22] We are not shown any of those things.

[00:15:24] So maybe we have to guess maybe something must have happened in between.

[00:15:29] For me personally, what was disappointing was people can draw some message from any film.

[00:15:35] But this too, when you see that there is a caring husband for a woman who is suffering from a disorder.

[00:15:42] So that was quite appealing in the beginning.

[00:15:44] But when you see the whole movie, something different happens.

[00:15:48] So that was quite disappointing.

[00:15:51] But anyway, the movie captures your attention and transports you to a different world.

[00:15:55] And this film too, like any other Amal Neerath film, is a good theater watch for its visual brilliance and magical BGM.

[00:16:03] So that brings us to the end of this episode.

[00:16:06] Thanks for listening to Start Action Cut produced and hosted by me, Pat Mogumar.

[00:16:11] And follow www.onmanurama.com for more podcasts on movies.

[00:16:16] And be sure to come back for the next episode of Start Action Cut out on Mondays.

[00:16:21] Thank you.