Watch Pattalam

Pattalam is a 2003 Malayalam-language thriller film directed by Lal Jose and written by Benny P. Nayarambalam. The movie stars Mammootty, Biju Menon, and Tessa in lead roles. The film primarily revolves around the life of a group of 8th standard students who are studying in a school, and it deals with their relationships, aspirations, friendships, and conflicts.

The movie begins by introducing a children's home located on the outskirts of a small village in Kerala. The children's home is owned by a wealthy businessman named Mathew K. Kutty (played by Mammootty), who lives in the city and runs the home through his trusted aide Kurup (played by Biju Menon). The movie portrays the life of the children in the home, their past tragedies, and the affectionate bond they share with Mathew K. Kutty.

The first half of the movie concentrates on developing the characters of the children and their personal stories. The five main characters are Girijavallabhan (played by Jaffer Idukki), Pappan (played by Harisree Asokan), Ramanathan (played by Salim Kumar), Anupama (played by Meera Vasudevan), and Maria (played by Tessa). The movie shows how each of these characters try to cope with their past and how they have been abused or neglected by their families. The children's home is their place of solace, and Mathew K. Kutty's presence in their life is like a fatherly figure.

The story takes a turn when Mathew K. Kutty gets invited to speak at the annual day function of a school located in a nearby town. While he addresses the gathering, he notices that one of the students, Shyam (played by Kottayam Santha), is missing. Shyam's parents panic, and the news soon spreads that Shyam is kidnapped. Mathew K. Kutty decides to take matters into his own hands and sets out to find the boy. He teams up with Kurup and a childhood friend named Rajan (played by Indrajith, who makes a cameo appearance), who is now a sub-inspector in the police force.

The second half of the movie revolves around the investigation into Shyam's kidnapping and the events that unfold thereafter. The investigation leads the trio to a gang that kidnaps children and sells them to wealthy people who cannot bear children of their own. They discover a shocking truth that changes the course of the movie.

Overall, Pattalam is a well-crafted thriller that touches your heart and keeps you engaged throughout. The movie highlights important social issues such as child abuse, child labor, and human trafficking. The performances by Mammootty, Biju Menon, and Tessa stand out, and the child actors who have played the primary roles render standout performances that capture the attention of the audience. The film's background music, composed by Alex Paul, adds to the tension and drama, and the cinematography by Alagappan makes the movie visually appealing. The movie ends with a message that emphasizes the importance of having strong bonds with family and friends, which is needed to overcome challenging situations in life.

In conclusion, Pattalam is a must-watch movie for all those who love an engaging storyline with ample doses of thrill, drama, and social relevance. The film emphasizes on the importance of personal relationships and the challenges encountered in life, with the ultimate message being that goodness can conquer evil.

Pattalam is a 2003 drama with a runtime of 2 hours and 39 minutes. It has received moderate reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 5.3.