Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 (2014)

Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 is a 2014 Indian Malayalam-language comedy thriller film directed by Mamas K. Chandran. It is a sequel to the 1995 comedy Mannar Mathai Speaking and the third installment in the Ramji Rao franchise. Actors Innocent, Mukesh, Sai Kumar, Biju Menon, Vijayaraghavan and Janardhanan reprised their roles; while Aparna Gopinath, Shammi Thilakan and a few others are also included in the cast. The film features original music and background score composed by Rahul Raj.

Plot

Years after their earlier adventures, Mannar Mathai runs a travel agency, Urvashi Tours & Travels, with his old partners Gopalakrishnan and Balakrishnan. To celebrate the 25th anniversary of their drama troupe, Mathai plans a new play, though his partners are reluctant due to past troubles in the theatre.

When they advertise for a new English-speaking driver, Mathai secretly adds another ad seeking a “heroine” for the play. This brings in Nithya and her friend Unni. While Unni is hired as the driver, Mathai sees Nithya as his lead actress. Soon, the trio encounters their former foe, Mahendra Varma, now mentally impaired after an accident. They forgive him, but new complications arise when they learn that Nithya and Unni are fugitives falsely accused of bank fraud.

It is revealed that Nithya is the daughter of Ramji Rao, who has since reformed, taken the name Kunjumon, and become a pastor. Meanwhile, Mahendra’s identical twin brother, Hareendran — an international criminal — arrives in search of a stolen diamond hidden in a bag now held by SI Babumon. When Hareendran kidnaps Gopalakrishnan’s daughters to retrieve the diamond, Mathai and his friends attempt a risky rescue.

Amid chaos involving mistaken identities, betrayals, and overlapping kidnappings, a massive brawl breaks out between the criminals, police, and theatre members. Hareendran is apparently arrested, but it is later revealed that he escaped after swapping clothes with his twin brother, Mahendran.

The film ends during the troupe’s 25th anniversary play, where Gopalakrishnan notices the lost diamond embedded in Mathai’s crown. As Mathai hints that someone may soon come looking for it, they spot Hareendran in the audience — only for him to vanish moments later.

Cast

Music

The music and background score of the movie are composed, orchestrated, and produced by Rahul Raj. The soundtrack opened to positive reviews with Music Aloud.com saying "Composer Rahul Raj continues the franchise's tradition of entertaining music", while particularly mentioning that the interludes of Gathakalaporin are 'brilliant'. Milliblog.com hailed Mizhikaloro as the best song for its fantastic tune and catchy arrangements.

Reception

The film received negative reviews from critics. Sify movies commented, "You can only watch Director Mamas's Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 with tremendous anger and disbelief as he makes a mockery of two much-loved films with this one. Please don't speak again, Mr. Mannar Mathai!" Rediff movie reviews commented, "Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 is a repeat of what we've seen before."

References

External links

Mannar Mathai Speaking 2 at IMDb