- Date of Release: 18 April 2025
- Genre: Drama
- Language: Malayalam
- Watch On: BookMyShow Stream
Madappally United
Introduction
Imagine this – your summer holidays are on. You and your friends choose to meet for a game of cricket. There is palpable excitement in the air with strategies being discussed, while even shadow practicing shots of your favourite cricketer whose poster is pinned in your room. The only issue remains finding a place to actually play! The Malayalam film Madappally United comes at an indifferent time in the 2020s when the major source of entertainment exists on social media. Unlike the 90s when outdoor plays remained the only option of a sport, the grounds are essentially replaced by a little device in your hand that has the ability to emulate even the setting. Yet, there is an old school charm to the drama that aspires to shift its focus back on the grounds that were once designed for children but now hold an existential crisis of their own. The idea here isn’t a distinction between the warring viewpoints of physical activities and the social media – instead, it is about the basic infrastructure that is being cruelly eradicated for an entire deserving generation, slowly pushing them towards the latter. As the tagline of the film suggests – the journey itself…..is the story.
Story & Screenplay
There is a small searing tale that is laced with care and warmth even as Madappally United opens in an intimate village of Madappally in the state of Kerala. The simplicity of the environment can still be gauged from conversations that are brewing at a local tea stall. Yet as the name suggests, the drama is essentially about the sport of cricket featuring a local team of misfits, all of whom are school-going kids. In another world, this could have been a typical underdog drama of fighting the challenges that they face in everyday life only to win a cup for their village. But it is here that the film takes a different route, while focusing just on their journey. The drama also doesn’t aspire to really provide answers to the eventual challenges that the kids face, while just being content in following them around as they traverse the dusty bylanes of the village in pursuit for a game of cricket.
One of the recurring themes of the film is that of capitalism that often acts as an underlying layer in the drama. When you are introduced to the character of Prakash (Srikant Murali), you see him on the school podium about to deliver a speech which he wishes ‘to keep it short’. The amused children decide to playfully time him, something that seemingly forms a conflicting dynamic between the two parties. Yet the more you spend time with Prakash, you realise that he is a lawyer fighting a supposed losing battle against powerful people vying the grounds for children. In a scene, you see Prakash under an immense shock while getting to know that the promised land for community activities is now under the control of authorities to supposedly build a shopping center (or a mall). Prakash is an idealist, often looking to help children for which he even donates cricket kits to the school for the children. Unfortunately, there is only so much he can do with kits being way lesser than the number of children in school and even interested in the game of cricket. Both these issues are directly tagged to capitalism that seemingly has a huge impact on the society.
Another theme involves that of class divide. You are acquainted to the son of Prakash who is shown to be pampered and privileged. Elsewhere, you are tactfully introduced to the bunch of children in the vicinity – one that has to help his father with the knitting of his fish net before going to school every morning, another one who has to coax her mother to buy clothes and shoes, while witnessing her friend share a similar plan. Another extension of the same is with regards to the kids who are interested in a game of cricket – all of them are shown to be underprivileged unlike Srikant’s son who isn’t shown to engage in the same. The further extension of this conflict is with respect to gender. When it comes to the game of cricket, we are instantly programmed to think that it is a men’s sport. Likewise, a few characters at various points do exclaim the inclusion of girls in the team. Yet, the equality of gender that the writing wishes to address here is commendable, particularly because the characters involved are kids. A feminist gaze at the start is such an important block for kids at an impressionable age.
The events here can be viewed as a road drama as much as a sports drama. The key conflict in the drama is two-fold – fighting against all odds in having to play the game of cricket on that very day given how the rotating kit would only be available next after two weeks. And the other is finding a place to play. There are multiple obstacles that the kids face – the captain of their team is injured during a bout of chaos at home, only to insist on continuing to atleast accompany his friends. Elsewhere, a supposed misplacement of an item threatens to derail the plans of the kids indulging in the game. But the most important issue lies with the play wherein the writers try and circle back to place of contention with respect to the character of Prakash in a different form at the end. It is both ironic and pondering although I would have liked the makers to stay in this moment for a while, in order to create another layer of conflict. Yes, there is hope at the end of the tunnel for the kids thereby summing up the screenplay that is pondering and searing while coated with warmth and care. The simplicity of the tale has a lot to convey through its allegories along the way.
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are conversational while being aligned with the multiple themes in the drama. The music is decent but I did wish that the BGM was a little more subtle in conveying the ingrained emotions by utilizing moments of silence a little more than it actually did. The cinematography comprises of frames that captures the vibe of the village of Madappally beautifully. What it did was allow the setting to play an important character in the mix, while treading along the journey with kids. The editing is crisp, ensuring that the drama doesn’t overstay its welcome and remains taut with a runtime of under 90 minutes. Director Ajay Govind had mentioned that the entire episode in the drama did stem from his own observations about children playing cricket in a crematorium, implying the lack of space for an outdoor activity. And he beautifully weaves a heartfelt tale that is pondering and addressing the same issue in a heartwarming manner. There is a certain sweetness and naivety tagged to the drama that makes it quite real and relevant, and full marks to Ajay for telling an important tale.
Performances
The performances are pretty good by the members of the cast and full marks to actor and casting director Rajesh Madhavan for hand-picking kids who wonderfully add authenticity to the drama. All the kids are adorable and add a unique flavour to the proceedings. Seasoned actors like Srikant Murali, Vijilesh Karayad, Sibi Thomas, Ranji Kankol and Hareesh Peradi also make their presence felt. All actors manage to impress here.
Conclusion
Madappally United is a sweet little tale with a wonderfully poignant message that makes for a heartwarming and simplistic watch. Available on BookMyShow Stream.
