Ali Bhai
Encyclopedia
Alibhai is a 2007 big budget film directed by Shaji Kailas. It stars Mohanlal
, Gopika
and Navya Nair
in leading roles. The film was an average growser at the box office.
Alibhai (Mohanlal) is the King Dadha of Palayam market, Kozhikode. He is the unquestionable hero in that area and savior of the poor and downtrodden. Ganga (Gopika) and Chenthamara (Navya Nair), who sell flowers in the market are crazy about Alibhai, but he has no time for romance because he devotes all his time fighting for the cause of the people.
In his past, Alibhai had some bad experiences with his devils Siddique and Aryaman. They wanted to drive out Alibhai from the market and build a shopping mall with the help of local politicians. At one stage, they planted a bomb and killed many of his friends and neighbours. Alibhai got hold of them single-handedly and became the godfather for that area.
The hero's introductory scene is very much impressive and it would please every Lalettan fan. A notorious villain hijacks a private bus in the busy Kozhikode market road, with an aim to kill the hero. The hero's sandals are shown in a close up, as he jumps on to the footboard of a speeding bus. The very next moment, the director shows the much-relieved passengers with villain being thrashed by the hero.
It is a tailor made role for the veteran actor who plays the character of Alibhai. He has played with so much ease and style. His typical costume- white dhothi, rolled sleeves shirt and twirling moustache portrays the image that he is the son of the soil. In this film Lal also uses punch dialogue like: Bejarakathe Koya (in a typical Kozhikode slang).
Though the movie has all the necessary ingredients to sustain as a mass entertainer, it lags in few areas. This action film has lost momentum due to lack of romantic and comic elements. Heroines Gopika and Navya have nothing much to do in the film. There is no logic in the story of the film.
Mohan Lal is the strength of the film with flawless action. The film is all about his heroism and direct interaction with the viewers and his fans. It seems that the success of superstar Rajinikanth's films in Kerala has made an impact on the filmmakers and viewers to produce films like Alibhai. Other actors like Jagadheesh, Cochin Haneefa, Sudheesh, Shammy Thilakan, Ganesh, KPAC Lalitha also have done their part sensibly.
The climax fight scene (Shot in Binny Mills, Chennai) with the main villain, is the highlight of the film. There is nothing impressive or novel in the music of Alex Paul. The camera work of Saravanan is excellent especially action scenes. Don Max's editing has made the film racy. Even though the film bombed at the box office due to its monstrous story line and impeccable hamming, Mohanlal fans were naive enough to pay hard cash to see this movie
Director: Shaji Kailas
Cast: Mohanlal
, Gopika
, Navya Nair
, Jagadish
, Cochin Haneefa
, Sudheesh, Shammy Thilakan, Ganesh, KPAC Lalitha and Antony Perumbavoor.
Camera: Saravanan
Music: Alex Paul
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
, Gopika
Gopika
Gopika is an Indian film actress, who has predominantly starred in Malayalam films. Starting her career as a model, she ventured into acting with the film Pranayamanithooval...
and Navya Nair
Navya Nair
Dhanya Nair , better known by her stage name Navya Nair, is an Indian actress who works in Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada films. She has won the honour of Kalathilakam in the Alappuzha District Schools Youth Festival.- Personal life :...
in leading roles. The film was an average growser at the box office.
Synopsis
Right from the introductory scene to the climax, the director has made the character of Mohanlal stick to a particular image like Rajinikanth. The story of Alibhai is simple with enough mass masala elements.Alibhai (Mohanlal) is the King Dadha of Palayam market, Kozhikode. He is the unquestionable hero in that area and savior of the poor and downtrodden. Ganga (Gopika) and Chenthamara (Navya Nair), who sell flowers in the market are crazy about Alibhai, but he has no time for romance because he devotes all his time fighting for the cause of the people.
In his past, Alibhai had some bad experiences with his devils Siddique and Aryaman. They wanted to drive out Alibhai from the market and build a shopping mall with the help of local politicians. At one stage, they planted a bomb and killed many of his friends and neighbours. Alibhai got hold of them single-handedly and became the godfather for that area.
The hero's introductory scene is very much impressive and it would please every Lalettan fan. A notorious villain hijacks a private bus in the busy Kozhikode market road, with an aim to kill the hero. The hero's sandals are shown in a close up, as he jumps on to the footboard of a speeding bus. The very next moment, the director shows the much-relieved passengers with villain being thrashed by the hero.
It is a tailor made role for the veteran actor who plays the character of Alibhai. He has played with so much ease and style. His typical costume- white dhothi, rolled sleeves shirt and twirling moustache portrays the image that he is the son of the soil. In this film Lal also uses punch dialogue like: Bejarakathe Koya (in a typical Kozhikode slang).
Though the movie has all the necessary ingredients to sustain as a mass entertainer, it lags in few areas. This action film has lost momentum due to lack of romantic and comic elements. Heroines Gopika and Navya have nothing much to do in the film. There is no logic in the story of the film.
Mohan Lal is the strength of the film with flawless action. The film is all about his heroism and direct interaction with the viewers and his fans. It seems that the success of superstar Rajinikanth's films in Kerala has made an impact on the filmmakers and viewers to produce films like Alibhai. Other actors like Jagadheesh, Cochin Haneefa, Sudheesh, Shammy Thilakan, Ganesh, KPAC Lalitha also have done their part sensibly.
The climax fight scene (Shot in Binny Mills, Chennai) with the main villain, is the highlight of the film. There is nothing impressive or novel in the music of Alex Paul. The camera work of Saravanan is excellent especially action scenes. Don Max's editing has made the film racy. Even though the film bombed at the box office due to its monstrous story line and impeccable hamming, Mohanlal fans were naive enough to pay hard cash to see this movie
Credits
Producer: Antony PerumbavoorDirector: Shaji Kailas
Cast: Mohanlal
Mohanlal
Mohanlal Vishwanathan Nair , known mononymously as Mohanlal , is a National Award-winning Indian actor, producer, singer and writer who is well known for his versatile and natural acting in Indian cinema & hence widely known as the Universal Star...
, Gopika
Gopika
Gopika is an Indian film actress, who has predominantly starred in Malayalam films. Starting her career as a model, she ventured into acting with the film Pranayamanithooval...
, Navya Nair
Navya Nair
Dhanya Nair , better known by her stage name Navya Nair, is an Indian actress who works in Malayalam, Tamil, and Kannada films. She has won the honour of Kalathilakam in the Alappuzha District Schools Youth Festival.- Personal life :...
, Jagadish
Jagadish
P. V. Jagadish Kumar , popularly known as Jagadish, is a Malayalam film actor and script writer. He became popular through performances in films such as Mukhachitram, In Harihar Nagar, Godfather, Welcome to Kodaikanal, Thiruthalvaadi, Mantrikacheppu, and Hitler...
, Cochin Haneefa
Cochin Haneefa
Mohammed Haneefa, better known by his stage name Cochin Haneefa was an Indian film actor, director, and screenwriter. He started his career in the 1970s mainly portraying villainous roles, before going on to become one of the most popular comedians of Malayalam cinema...
, Sudheesh, Shammy Thilakan, Ganesh, KPAC Lalitha and Antony Perumbavoor.
Camera: Saravanan
Music: Alex Paul
Alex Paul
Alex Paul is an Indian music director mostly active in Malayalam cinema.- Biography :Alex Paul, born in Kochi, Kerala, is the son of A.M. Paul, a music artist who formed the first Orchestra troupe in Kochi...