ELEMENTS OF SUSPENSE, EXCITEMENT AND MYSTERY

Masters is a 2012 Malayalam action thriller film directed by Johny Antony and starring Prithviraj, Mukesh and Sasikumar in the lead roles. This film is loosely based on the English film Strangers on a Train (film). 

PLOT

Milan Paul and Sriramakrishnan are best friends who have been together since college. The intensity of their friendship has not faded though the carefree days of college have long past gone. Now Sree is an ASP (Assistant Superintendent of Police) of Kottayam and Milan is a renowned reporter in the same city. Though in different fields both are in highly responsible jobs. In effect, both of them use their friendship to fulfill their respective social responsibilities. Hot-tempered and impulsive Sree usually ends up in some sort of trouble and is always saved by Milan in the nick of the time. Consequently, Milan has to deal with physical and mental torture from Sree's enemies but Sree reciprocates by saving Milan. Things were going on just fine when out of the blue, a horrendous incident shocks the city. A series of suicide-murders happen and what bewilders the Police is the lack of any apparent reason for the murderers to kill the victims. In many cases the murderers have not met the victims ever before the incident. The two friends try to unravel the mystery behind it and discover some bewildering and chilling truths.

CAST

·         Prithviraj as ASP Sriramakrishnan

·         Mukesh as SP Ravi Shanker

·         Sasikumar as Milan Paul

·         Ananya as Ashley Jacob

·         Pia Bajpai as Daksha

·         Surekha as Sheetal's Mother

·         Mithra Kurian as Sheetal

·         Sandhya as Nia Ponnoose

·         Biju Menon as Sethu

·         Salim Kumar as Monachan

·         Saikumar as Advocate Narayanan Thambi

·         Jagathy Sreekumar as Devasi

·         Siddique as Issac Panicker

·         Mohan Jose as Kelu

·         Vijayaraghavan as Balagangadharan

·         Bhagath Manuel as Akhil

·         Geetha as Daksha's Mother

·         Shammi Thilakan as Roy

·         Sadiq

·         Mahesh

CONCLUSION

In the film, Masters, director Johny Anthony does things that are so uncharacteristic of him. He completely abandons humour and wipes off even the slightest trace of romance from the film. Unlike his earlier heroes, the new one with a well-built from the figure prefers fury to frolic. He deliberately slows down the narrative on many occasions.

There is something perplexing about the idea to cast Sasikumar, an actor who exudes machismo as Milan Paul, a meek and wimpy friend of Sreeramakrishnan IPS, played by Prithviraj. The plot might reserve the justification towards the end. However, the portrayal of the character looks even less convincing than the action scenes involving Prithviraj.

Masters tries to celebrate ‘Sholay’ brand of friendship between Sasikumar and Prithviraj. They share secrets, save each other, go fishing and do everything possible to build an enviable chemistry. But for all their earnestness, their relationship and its intensity look as pathetic as the scene where the hero punctures a tender coconut with his service revolver to have a drink.

The script by Jinu Abraham brings together some strangers, all betrayed, shattered and looking for revenge. Each of them has a heinous past, which drives them into forming an improbable union. But the way they join hands looks forced and their actions seem absurd. They come together, carry out tasks and vanish in haste. The mysteries they leave behind get solved very easily.

Each time the hero finds himself in a tight situation, he comes across the right person in the nick of time to help him out. At times even his opponent offers a helping hand! More than the narrative, Masters cares more for its hero and spares him of any mental strain. It rather engages Prithviraj in tiring slow-motions with people who appear for the sole purpose of being bashed up. Eventually the film is shorn off the elements of suspense, excitement and mystery which often make a thriller.