ADAMINTE MAKAN ABU:

Pain Of an Unfulfilled  Dream

In the ecstasy when getting Haj Passport 

‘Small is beautiful”  E.F.Schumacher said it in economic perspective.                       

But Small dreams about small things  are often, I feel, a great and beautiful thing.

Just after watched the movie “Adaminte Makan” I thought so.

 I could realized a sense of passion of an ingenuous, poor, country fellow man about his utmost aim in his life, that to perform a halal Haj without any obligation to others.

Sometimes, it is not so relevant to us, considering our modern life of facilities and amenities. We may think whether it is so difficult to perform a Haj in this time of globalization.

This film brings us into the emotions and ambition of a deprived and pious person who does not curse his poverty. He is an embodiment of nobility. To full fill his ambition he started to accumulate money from his livelihood. He knows only to sell scent (attarwala)  He couldn’t get any help from his grown up son who is in Gulf country  and ashamed of his father. 

It is really touching; the director Salim Ahammed shows us so many obstacles happened in the path of Abu’s ambition.  You will burst out  in a single shot, that his wife compelled him to sell their cow &calf to mobilize ticket amount even she is very fond of them.  He also dared with hidden pain to cut off a jack fruit tree from his 5 cent house plot.  Finally he showed his maturity and console his wife when he know he could not full fill his ambition, but really,  as viewer  our heart will pain  on him long time.

The beauty of undeveloped northern village of Kerala (I think it is interior of Mattanur)

 is splendid through out the movie.

Salim Kumar, who plays Abu, an honest 75 year old scent merchant who lives with his wife Ayisumma (Zareena Wahab) amazes you with his incredible acting Realy he lived as Abu absorbing all feelings.. It’s indeed heartening that the national and state awards juries chose him for the best actor award for his splendid performance.

 The director, pours his heart and soul into the film and the honesty with which he has approached the film is there to be seen in every frame. The film glorify essence of Islam and Haj through innocent beliver. That is the greatness of this film. I suggest all Muslims will encourage this film showing all Madrassa Muallims and students in Kerala.

 Every actor in the film has done their role excellently. From Zareena Wahab, Nedumudi Venu, Mukesh, Kalabhavan Mani, Suraj Venjarammoodu, to those who have appeared in a scene or two, leaves lasting impressions in the viewer’s mind.

 It’s perhaps an once-in-a-lifetime role for Salim Kumar and he gives subtle acting an altogether different meaning. He is just outstanding and his performance has been easily the best by any actor in Malayalam.

 There are a few situations intended to give a ‘classy feel’ like the character of Ustaad and his disciple, Hyder and also some characters which may have been used for an effect, like a Christian wood trader and a Hindu teacher who shows amazing compassion and support for the old man during some crisis moments. But then, all that acts in a positive way for this noble film.

 Adaminte Makan Abu has done proud for Malayalam and will find its place among the most powerful films ever made in Malayalam. As a viewer, the easiest way to appreciate this gem is to watch it at the theatre,. Don’t miss this one, it’s a must watch.

Waiting response,

wahab, Payyoli

E mail: wahabkp@gmail.com