After much delay, Mammootty's 'Mamangam' has hit the screens. The movie takes off, with a brief history of the 'Mamangam' festival (narrated by director Ranjith's) held every 12 years in Tirunavaya, on the banks of Bharatapuzha. The plot is initially set through an action sequence, which features Mammootty as a larger-than-life warrior. Mamangam is produced by Kavya Pictures.
Directed by M. Padmakumar, Mamangam is packed with an emotional driven first half that is intertwined with a couple of parallel plots, which finally leads to the main story. An investigative part and Mammootty's secret life is interwoven in the first half. Mammootty as 'Chandroth Valiya Panikkar' has a long fight sequence for about 15 minutes as the film starts - where he leads a team of warriors (Chavers) to kill the Zamorin ruler (of Calicut, now Kozhikode), but goes sabbatical for 24 years after the mission gets failed.
Mammootty appears in three different appearances in the movie - one as a young warrior, then an aged, but a vibrant warrior (the story is set after 24 years) and the third one is a surprise character, revealing it would be a spoiler. The veteran actor does his role perfectly; does dance steps that will be enjoyed by his fans. Acting-wise, Mamangam doesn't offer great challenges to a strong performer like Mammootty, in spite of his mannerisms are done before in his films, he has performed with ease, but he is a big asset for the movie.
The basic plot of the movie is about the revenge between Zamorin Kings and 'Chandroth Tharavadu' (17th-18th century) after the Zamorin's took over the rights to conduct the 'Mamangam’ festival (killing heads of rich families in Valluvanad). It was organized by the Nair families in Valluvanad.
The dialect of the movie could have been more related to the local language, as the dialogues seemed to be just like an adaptation from textbooks. Shankar Ramakrishnan, who wrote the adapted script could have added more details of the local dialects of Valluvanad and Kozhikode region of the 17th and 18th centuries. The first half could have been more fast-paced as the procedural subplot was long-winding and ended in a predictable note.
Otherwise, the fight sequences, especially the one by 11-year-old Achuthan (Chandroth Chandunni) and Unni Mukundan were engaging. The climax fight lasts for more than 25 minutes, which is the major highlight of the movie. Achuthan, a Kalari performer is another highlight in the movie.
Mammootty, Unni Mukundan, Achuthan, and Siddique did their roles well, but the other small-time actors could have been replaced with seasoned ones as it's a period-drama which speaks of Kerala's history for better performances overall. Iniya and Prachi Tehlan shined as female actors, whereas other lady leads Kaniha and Anu Sithara could have been given roles that made use of their potential.
The cinematography by Manoj Pillai was good - the Mamangam festival and the action sequences were pleasing to watch. The songs composed by M. Jayachandran were good. The background score by Sanchit Balhara could have been done better to make it more intense.
The makers should be appreciated for their effort to show the small temple, where a lamp is lighted even now in remembrance of Chandroth Chandunni. The other historic places, such as present Tirunavaya and 'Paang Village’ in Makkaraparambu in Malappuram district, where all these events happened as per historical records, are also shown towards the end. This gives an important piece of information and context for those who are not aware of the 'Mamangam' festival and people can visit the place for its historical importance.