Saudhi vellakka,(സൗദി വെള്ളക്ക ) Review

Pendency of cases in indian courts is very serious issue that's  less addressed in films. Sometimes, this issue showed on screen as a passing comedy, or just a part of some argument. Saudhi vellakka marks its difference by treating this hard reality very specifically.

Aisha Rawuttar (Devi varma) gets arrested for attacking a minor and charged under non bailable sections of IPC, by the police. Her case keep on pending for the next 15 years due to so many reasons, even the witnesses and the victim hardly recollect what exactly happened. The case was intentionally ignited by a neighbour who has enmity with Aisha after a land dispute. The changes happening to people during this long period of 15 years, and Aisha watching all these, swimming with the flow, expecting a final destination of Justice at her old age, is the story all about. Meanwhile, her emotionally fragile son goes missing, daughter in law leaves home, and loneliness makes her irresponsive to the life. But this is not a legal battle between the accused and the victim. Its more about showing what all are getting lost while the wheels of justice roll on.

Positives.

This is an uncompromising realism that's impressively grasped by all the actors involved. Devi varma as Aisha umma deserves special mention, for her precise and classic performance.

Screenplay tried a flashback to recollect the events back to 15 years. This assured the audience to feel more engaged, instead of lagging on the chronological story progression.

With such an underprivileged urban setting, the film shows a national issue of pendency of judiciary in indian courts, that's less addressed in Indian cinema.

Rather than trying to make the film forcefully to a feel goos genre, it showed issue in detail even without much court room drama. The film criticised the issue without any implied scopes for contempt of court as it explained the lives more than any sections of IPC.

Though the story can have a scope of religious interpretation, it never tries to incite any such communal aspects to make it more messy.

Negatives.

Let aside the fact that it addressed the issue of delay in justice delivery, it never tries to conclude the same by giving any hints of solutions.

First half may feel comparatively underwritten as it didn't appeal to someone who expect more comedy from such a witty title "Saudhi vellakka"

Rating.

There are 47 million pending cases in indian court, which means more than that of lives are still pending. This is an eyeopener to the legislators and the judiciary to take this issue by promoting out of the court settlements, fasttrack courts, online hearing, responsible policing and other ways of solutions.

I am giving 8.5/ 10 for this beautiful film that deserves more audience than the number i saw in theatres.