At the heart of Vala: The Story of a Bangle lies a coveted bangle, an object of desire for everyone. Its Arabian origins and precious stones spark a legend, perhaps leading viewers to expect a mystical tale akin to Padakkalam. Yet, this bangle holds no supernatural powers. Instead, Vala attempts to explore themes of greed, hubris, and redemption, but ultimately struggles to deliver on its intriguing concept.
The screenplay comes from Harshad, known for his work on films like Unda, Dayom Panthrandum (which he also directed), Puzhu, and Kadina Kadhoramee Andakadaham. Muhashin, who previously helmed Kadina Kadhoramee Andakadaham, takes the director’s chair for Vala.
This is the story of two couples — Banu Prakash and Vishalakshi, and Purushothaman and Sarala — all entangled by their obsession with the bangle. Dhyan Sreenivasan portrays Purushothaman Nair, or ‘Purushu,’ a cunning, affluent small-time politician married to Sarala (Raveena Ravi), who works at the Akshaya Centre. Oddly, Sarala wears the bangle and seems unable to remove it from her wrist. The plot thickens when Vishalakshi (Sheethal Joseph) spots it during a visit to the Akshaya Centre; following a tense exchange, Vishalakshi becomes determined to acquire an identical bangle for herself.
Vishalakshi’s insistent desire stems from her elopement with policeman Banu (Lukman Avaran). She had mistakenly brought her grandmother’s old trinket box, believing it contained valuable gold jewelry. This discovery leaves her feeling deeply insecure, even with Banu’s unwavering support. Her focus shifts entirely to obtaining a bangle just like Sarala’s, setting the central conflict of Vala in motion.
While Vishalakshi’s demand might seem childish, her motivations are clear: she’s abandoned her home, been disowned by her family, and now resides among strangers. As for Purushu, his cheerful exterior belies a hidden avarice. Harshad’s script effectively conveys the characters’ internal struggles, though a deeper exploration of their complexities, particularly the simmering tension between Banu and Purushu, would have enhanced the narrative.
Vala: The Story of a Bangle (Malayalam)
The film adheres to traditional storytelling arcs, yet much of the first half is spent establishing characters and motivations, leaving viewers uncertain of the plot’s direction. Fortunately, the narrative gains momentum right before the intermission.
The second half, thankfully, grabs attention after the somewhat meandering initial acts. Here, the plot accelerates, resolving many lingering questions. We discover the bangle can be removed, and that it’s not Sarala’s family heirloom as initially implied. Its true owner is Fatima (Santhi Krishna), a gift from her husband Soopikka (Vijayaraghavan).
Soopikka and Banu share a problematic past, casting Banu in an unfavorable light. Recovering the bangle for Soopikka and Fatima thus becomes Banu’s quest for redemption. Meanwhile, Purushu is desperate to remove the bangle from his wife’s wrist, having promised it to a gangster for cash. Following several anticipated and unforeseen twists, the coveted bangle eventually lands in the hands of the Superintendent of Police.
Here, the film strains credulity. Why does everyone involved with the bangle converge at the SP’s house? And why is the stolen property simply handed over to him there? Soopikka’s suspicion that the officer might keep the bangle for himself is entirely understandable and mirrors the audience’s own doubts.
This scenario raises serious concerns. The fundamental question it poses is: Can we truly trust our police force? One can only hope that such events remain confined to fiction, as the implication is quite unsettling.
Muhashin skillfully brings out strong performances from his cast. Lukman, in particular, delivers a wonderfully mature portrayal as Banu, the beleaguered, devoted, and somewhat henpecked lover, earning genuine empathy. Dhyan shines as the morally ambiguous Purushu, a role far removed from his usual online antics. Vijayaraghavan and Santhi Krishna charm as a couple, while Raveena, Sheethal, and other supporting actors also make their mark. Even music composer Govind Vasantha makes a notable cameo.
Ultimately, Vala, despite its potential, squanders a compelling premise. It constantly feels on the verge of coalescing but never quite achieves it. Occasional humorous moments are simply not enough to rescue the film from its shortcomings.
The film Vala: The Story of a Bangle is currently showing in cinemas.