Shylock (2020)

Summary:

Shylock is a 2020 Malayalam-language action drama film directed by Ajai Vasudev. The title is a slang term for a ruthless loan shark, which describes the protagonist, Boss (Devan), played by Mammootty. Boss is a powerful and notorious financier who funds many films in the industry, and is known for his signature mass style and movie references. The core conflict arises when a film producer, Prathapa Varma, cheats Boss out of a massive sum of money. This professional feud quickly escalates into a brutal revenge mission, as Boss reveals a dark, personal connection between Varma, his associate (Commissioner Felix John), and a terrible tragedy that destroyed Boss's family three years prior. The film shifts from a stylish mass entertainer in the first half to a dedicated revenge thriller in the second, as Boss seeks justice for his brother, Ayyanar.

Plot:

The film opens by introducing Boss (Devan), a high-profile, ruthless, and stylish moneylender who primarily finances the Malayalam and Tamil film industries. He is a massive movie buff, which is reflected in his dialogue, style, and attitude. The initial conflict is established when Boss is cheated by the film producer Prathapa Varma who fails to repay a substantial loan. When Prathapa Varma ignores Boss's warnings, Boss arrives on his film set, causes a huge ruckus, and kidnaps the film's director as leverage. Varma, desperate and angered by the humiliation, enlists the help of his close friend, the corrupt Police Commissioner Felix John IPS, to deal with Boss.

Felix tries to frame Boss by charging him with the kidnapping and later, when the conflict intensifies, falsely accusing Boss of being responsible for the disappearance of Varma's son, Adithyan. Boss, with the help of his loyal associates, manages to evade all traps set by the corrupt duo. During Adithyan's funeral, a brief exchange between Felix and Varma hints at a shared, violent past involving Boss.

The movie then dives into a lengthy flashback, set three years earlier in Kambam Theni, revealing the origins of Boss's intense need for revenge. Boss, along with his brother Ayyanar (Rajkiran), lived a peaceful life with their family. Ayyanar and his wife, Lakshmi, were happy, and Boss aspired to be an actor. However, a local caste-related dispute led to a confrontation between Boss's adopted brother, Velumurugan, and a local strongman, Rangan. In retaliation, Rangan, teaming up with a younger Felix John and Prathapa Varma, orchestrated a brutal attack on Boss's family while Boss was away. They murdered almost all of Boss's family members, including Ayyanar's wife, Lakshmi. Ayyanar was stabbed and left for dead. Boss returns to find the massacre, but discovers Ayyanar is still alive, albeit in a coma. Boss vowed revenge from that moment.

In the present, Boss uses his immense power and influence to systematically dismantle the lives of Prathapa Varma and Felix John. The final confrontation takes place in Boss's old home in Kambam, where he challenges the villains. Boss overpowers all of their henchmen. The climax sees the now-crippled Ayyanar (having woken from his coma) personally stab Felix John to death, fulfilling his own side of the vengeance, while Boss kills Prathapa Varma, finally bringing justice for the murder of his family. The film ends with Boss successfully executing his elaborate plan and walking away, his mission complete.

Cast:

• Mammootty as Boss (Devan / Vaalu)

• Rajkiran as Ayyanar (Boss's brother)

• Meena as Lakshmi Ayyanar (Ayyanar's wife)

• Siddique as Commissioner Felix John IPS (Antagonist)

• Kalabhavan Shajon as Prathapa Varma (Antagonist / Film Producer)

• Baiju Santhosh as Balakrishna Panicker

• Hareesh Kanaran as Ganapathi

• Bibin George as Velmurugan (Boss's adopted brother)

Crew:

• Director: Ajai Vasudev

• Writers/Screenplay: Aneesh Hameed & Bibin Mohan

• Producer: Joby George (Goodwill Entertainments)

• Cinematography (DOP): Renadive

• Editor: Riyas K. Badhar

• Music Director (Score/Songs): Gopi Sundar

Release Info:

• Language: Malayalam (also dubbed into Tamil as Kuberan)

• Release Date: 23 January 2020

• Running Time: 2 hours 11 minutes

• Genre: Action, Drama, Masala Film

• Box Office Status: Commercially successful