Salt 'N' Pepper Review : Must Taste This..!!!

Attention please : keep this in mind while going for director Aashiq Abu’s Salt n’ Pepper. .. ‘Don’t watch this film with an empty stomach’.There is every chance that you will feel hungry even as you are inside the theatre, as this story is being narrated with food as the backdrop.

Kalidasan (Lal) is an archaeologist who is equally obsessed with food, and the smell and feel of the past. Maya (Swetha Menon) lives in another corner of the town, and has to put up with a job as a dubbing artiste that she enjoys, but which is often contrary to her beliefs. The two strike up a conversation that doesn't go too well, after one of Maya's calls to the local Dosa guy ends up on Kalidasan's mobile. Hate slowly gives way to affection, but when they decide to finally meet however, Kalidasan on the spur of the moment sends over his nephew Manu (Asif Ali) instead. And, Meenakshi (Mythili), Maya's roommate, volunteers to make an appearance on her behalf.

With brilliant visuals by Shyju Khaled and fantastic music by Biji Bal, Salt n’ Pepper is a brave experiment made stylishly and with lots of honesty.

Watch out for the superb scene where Kalidasan meets Babu, which is amazingly hilarious. The film has its moments, but certain scenes are far from convincing. Like the mooppan who is there in the story without much of relevance.

This is perhaps the first film that I have seen, where an entire audience smacks their lips in anticipation, barely two minutes into it. This is a dream-come-true film for any foodie out there, but even for the others there is no escape from the drool and dribble. Get ready for some real flooding in your mouths, as almost everyone in the film digs into food, and more food.

Salt n’ Pepper may have its own share of shortcomings, but the sincerity with which it has been made is there to be seen in the film.

It’s a young film which oozes lots of freshness and it is enjoyable for people of all ages, especially if you love your food.

Aashiq Abu and his team (that includes the fantastic writers Syam Pushkaran and Dileesh Nair) adhere to the golden rules of good cooking, and see to it that the griddle is all hot, before they gently spread out a light hearted Dosa story on it. The batter is rich and consistently textured with much mirth and laughter and it settles down on the tava, with a sizzling hum. They grease it a bit further with a dollop of emotional butter that melts all over it in no time. Just as the crust turns firm, they flip it over, and let it turn a golden brown on both sides. And once done, roll it over to a swank platter, and serve it piping hot.

Chappa Kurish Review–Experiment gone bad

Chappa Kurish Review–--Experiment gone bad

Chappa Kurish is produced by Listin Stephen who had earlier produced the highly acclaimed movie Traffic.

Screenplay is written by Sameer Thahir and Unni R.

Cinematography is by debutante Jomon T John .

Rex Vijayan has scored the music.

A skilled cameraman. A nice plot. Innovative music. Uninteresting screenplay. Experimenting actors. Exceptional publicity.
This is what chaappa kurish, the malayalam movie is. Chaappa got my attention through its amazing posters and visuals. Ajay and Papaya Media deserves kudos for this, because I haven’t seen any publicity in malayalam cinema to such perfection and quality. Both web, social, stills and print were unique and streamlined. Probably that is the reason why this movie had high hopes on.

My personal favorite was the Phantom flex, super slow motion action sequences(like the one used in 180 rules kidayaathu song) that were shown in the promos. To my disappointment, none of those sequences were shown in the movie at any time.
That apart, the movie is dragging. Accept it. From the start, there was a huge burden on viewers shoulders to remain patient. Its not the story but how it was treated that got flawed. In movies like Salt n Pepper where the story is simple (much like Chaapa Kurish), the situations were interesting with no overdose of slapstick comedy like in typical malayalam movies. But there was no comedy (probably the script “demanded” it) at all in the movie. To top it up the screenplay was so boring it failed to impress the audience in the first half. BGM by Rex Vijayan came in as a misfit to the audience’s mood but clearly they were innovative and awesome otherwise.
With comparisons to “fresh genre” in Malayalam movies like Salt n Pepper and Traffic, this movie is a big disappointment in the “impressing” audience area, however technically sound it might be.
Like someone commented, it was like an Amal Neerad movie with an Adoor Gopalakrishnan script taken when both were in a hurry.
However, nice work Papaya and nice acting attempts by Vineeth and Fahad. That dude however is getting type casted now. Isn’t it the second or third movie where he’s playing this new age – aggressive – flirty – young builder shithole – who’s forced to utter the f word every 30 mins? Wait, is that the new cool? Come on! Hope he doesn’t repeat it in his next movie. Ramya Nambeesan definitely has improved over the years and evolved into a better actress. That means more work for her personal trainer I’m sure. Vineeth does some good acting. But that amul baby face of his cheats him in those “oh yeah come on fck with me” shots. Vineeth, thalassery slang is getting type casted too bro. Get over it.
Interesting movement in Malayalam movies anyways. Hope this genre doesn’t get replicated to the “other typical part”. Suresh Gopi as the foul mouthed / shouting commissioner, chasing terrorists in Koch, camera by Amal Neerad (or someone who can handle slow motion well and grungy, sepia tones) and music by Aviyal with that salt n pepper bearded guy (from Sagar Alias reloaded) as the S.I. No, please.
2 Out of 5 for Chaapa Kurish. I know that’s sad but, that’s for them to make a better movie next time with more homework on screenplay.

source :

www.manikarthik.com/chappa-kurish-reviewan-experiment-gone-bad/