At the heart of “Vala: The Story of a Bangle” lies, unsurprisingly, a bangle, a coveted item that everyone seems desperate to possess. This ornate, Arabian-origin piece is adorned with precious stones and comes with a captivating legend, which might lead viewers to expect a supernatural thriller akin to films like Padakkalam. However, the bangle holds no such mystical powers. Instead, “Vala” attempts to explore themes of greed, hubris, and redemption, but ultimately falls short of its intriguing, offbeat premise.
The film is helmed by Muhashin, known for directing Kadina Kadhoramee Andakadaham, and written by Harshad, a screenwriter credited with notable works like Unda, Dayom Panthrandum (which he also directed), and Puzhu.
The narrative revolves around two couples: Banu Prakash and Vishalakshi, and Purushothaman and Sarala, all entangled in the bangle’s allure. Dhyan Sreenivasan plays Purushothaman Nair, affectionately known as Purushu, an impish, affluent local politician. He is married to Sarala (Raveena Ravi), who works at an Akshaya Centre and, oddly enough, can’t remove the bangle from her wrist. The plot thickens when Vishalakshi (Sheethal Joseph) spots the bangle during a visit to the Akshaya Centre. Following an argument, Vishalakshi becomes determined to acquire a similar one for herself.
Vishalakshi’s motivation stems from her decision to elope with Banu (Lukman Avaran), a police officer, believing she had brought valuable gold jewelry from home. This turns out to be her grandmother’s collection of old trinkets, a discovery that leaves her feeling utterly inadequate, even with Banu’s unwavering support. Her unwavering focus on obtaining an identical bangle sets the central conflict of Vala in motion.
While it’s tempting to dismiss Vishalakshi’s demand as childish, the audience quickly grasps her underlying desperation—having left her home, been disowned by her parents, and now living among strangers. Meanwhile, Purushu’s initial cheerful demeanor proves deceptive; beneath it lies a palpable greed. Harshad’s screenplay adeptly explores these characters’ internal struggles, yet a deeper exploration of their motivations, particularly the simmering animosity between Banu and Purushu, would have significantly enriched the narrative.
Vala: The Story of a Bangle (Malayalam)
The story unfolds according to classic storytelling conventions, yet the first half feels somewhat prolonged, dedicated to establishing characters, their motives, and initiating the plot. Much of this initial section leaves viewers pondering the film’s ultimate direction. Thankfully, the pace quickens considerably just before the intermission, offering a welcome shift.
The second half, however, commands attention, finally revealing the core conflict after a meandering initial act. Here, most of the narrative’s questions about “why” and “how” find their answers. We discover that the bangle, contrary to Sarala’s assertions, isn’t a family heirloom and can indeed be removed. It truly belongs to Fatima (Santhi Krishna), a cherished gift from her husband, Soopikka (Vijayaraghavan).
Soopikka and Banu share a history, a rather unpleasant one that casts Banu in a particularly unflattering light. For Banu, recovering the bangle to return it to Soopikka and Fatima transforms into a personal quest for redemption. Purushu, on the other hand, is frantic to remove the bangle from his wife’s wrist, having accepted money from a gangster for its exchange. After a series of predictable and some surprising twists, the valuable bangle ultimately ends up with the Superintendent of Police.
It’s at this juncture that the film seriously strains credulity. Everyone connected to the bangle inexplicably congregates at the SP’s house – a perplexing gathering. There, the “stolen” property is handed over to him, raising further questions about logic. Soopikka’s immediate suspicion that the officer might simply pocket the bangle is, frankly, entirely understandable.
This plot point presents issues on multiple levels. It forces the fundamental question: can we truly trust our law enforcement? One can only hope such scenarios remain confined to fiction, as the implications portrayed in the film are quite disturbing.
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Muhashin successfully drew compelling performances from his cast. Lukman, in particular, delivers a noticeably matured performance. As the beleaguered, somewhat henpecked, yet deeply in love Banu, he evokes genuine empathy. Dhyan, portraying Purushu with intriguing shades of grey, thrives in the role, offering a stark contrast to his often-goofy online persona. Vijayaraghavan and Santhi Krishna charmingly portray a sweet couple, while Raveena, Sheethal, and the rest of the supporting cast also leave a positive impression. Notably, music composer Govind Vasantha makes a cameo appearance.
Ultimately, despite a few redeeming qualities, Vala struggles to fully leverage its promising central concept. Just as the narrative seems poised to coalesce, it falters, and while there are intermittent moments of humor, they aren’t enough to salvage the film.
Vala: The Story of a Bangle is currently available in cinemas.