Watch Chenkol

Chenkol is a 1993 Indian Malayalam-language film directed by Sibi Malayil, written by A. K. Lohithadas and produced by Mohanlal under the banner of Pranavam Arts. The film stars Mohanlal, Thilakan, Keerikkadan Jose, and Innocent in leading roles. The music is composed by Raveendran. The movie is a sequel to the 1989 film Kireedam, which won several awards and was a commercial success. In the sequel, the story revolves around Sethumadhavan (Mohanlal), the same protagonist from the first film. The film explores his life after he is released from prison and reintegrates into society.

The film begins with Sethumadhavan's release from prison, where he spent seven years for killing his father's murderer. He returns home to his mother and sister, hoping to start anew. However, he struggles to find a job due to his criminal record. He is eventually recruited as a manual laborer in a construction site. There, he meets his former childhood friend, Freddy (Keerikkadan Jose), who offers him a meager job. Sethumadhavan is keen on improving his life and agrees to work for him.

Sethumadhavan's life takes a turn for the worse as he becomes involved in alcoholism and gambling. Freddy introduces him to an underground casino, where he develops a gambling addiction. His addiction leads him into deeper and deeper debt, leading him to take several loans from various sources, including a loan shark named Varkichan (Thilakan).

The film portrays the difficulties faced by Sethumadhavan in repaying his loans, and the pressure he faces from Varkichan to repay him. Sethumadhavan's mother becomes gravely ill and requires expensive medical treatment. With no other options left, Sethumadhavan seeks out Varkichan to ask for more time to repay his loans. Varkichan agrees to help him on the condition that he becomes his henchman.

The film becomes grittier as Sethumadhavan slowly falls deeper into a life of crime. His transformation from an innocent man to a hardened criminal is portrayed through the use of dark imagery and a somber tone. The characters are complex, and the dynamics between them are multi-faceted. The film explores the themes of redemption, friendship, betrayal, and morality.

The climax of the film is intense and heart-wrenching, and leaves a lasting impact on the viewer. The film ends on a reflective note, leaving the viewer with several questions about the nature of society, the price of ambition, and the cost of one's choices.

Overall, Chenkol is a brilliant film that showcases the raw talent of its cast and crew. The film is dark and gritty, but it also has moments of tenderness and hope. The pacing of the film is consistent, and the storyline is well thought out, which keeps the viewer engaged throughout. It would be best if you watched Kireedam before watching Chenkol to fully appreciate the complexity of Sethumadhavan's character and his struggles.

Chenkol is a 1993 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 41 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.8.