Spanish Masala- movie review

The Indian film industry possesses a culture of favouring a specific country, for choosing locations very often. Now the industry seems to have zeroed in on Spain, as movies like Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Kandaswamy, Manmadan Ambu were predominantly shot there. Spanish Masala, a Malayalam movie produced by Noushad, under the banner of Big Screen Productions, joins the list.
The movie Spanish Masala, is a romantic-comedy directed by Lal Jose based on Benny P Nayarambalam's script. 'Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep plays the lead role in this film along with Kunchako Boban. After Arabikatha, Lal Jose has introduced yet another foreign girl, Daniela Zacherl, as his movie's heroine.
Director Lal Jose and script writer Benny P Nayarambalam's last individual outings, Elsamma Enna Aankutty and Marykundoru Kunchadu were both super hits and they have come together with their favourite actor Dileep in this film. Obviously the expectations were huge, and when the question of whether the movie has lived up to the hype or not is asked, it can be said that the movie does live up to its buzz in parts.
The story starts with our hero Charlie (Dileep), a mimicry artiste from India who is forced to stay back in Spain due to some unforeseen circumstances. His stay is not an easy one, as he can communicate only in Malayalam. But he manages to get a job as a chef in an Indian restaurant run by a Malayali, A specialist in dosas, he comes up with a local variant named Spanish Masala. An Ambassador’s daughter Camilla (Daniella), who had lost her eyesight in an accident sometime ago, takes a liking to his dosas which lands him a job as the master cook in her palatial bungalow.
Camilla's childhood is told in a flashback. Her father lived in India for several years and the young Camilla was brought up by an Indian governess, whose son Rahul was her childhood playmate and eventually becomes her love interest. When it was time for them to leave India, at the farewell event, Camilla, trained by her ayah, renders 'Omanathinkal Kidaavo..', suggesting that her ties with India are not to be severed that quick. Camilla and her father are accompanied by the governess and her son, on their return to Spain. The little girl Camila (Daniela) grows up into a beautiful lady and is happily in love with her childhood playmate Rahul (Kunchako Boban). Her dad isn't very happy about this relationship and sends off Rahul to Portugal on an assignment, where we're told, he gets killed in a car crash. This leads to a gulf developing between Camilla and her father, and they fall out of even being on talking terms. As expected, Charlie is instrumental in re-establishing the father-daughter bond. With the emotional quotient, love and spicy food forming the main ingredients, can love be far behind? What cooks up next, forms the crux of the story of 'Spanish Masala'.
Performance wise, Dileep comes up with yet another good performance in a role which seems tailor-made for him. His mimicry and comic timing are put into good use. The first half of the film entirely rests on Dileep’s shoulders and he carries it with elan. Kunchako Boban and Biju Menon continue their good run with decent performances. The Austrian, Daniela gets a good role here and in most parts she's apt, though one wishes she could have done better. It is reality TV comedian Nelson's performance which is garnering praise from all quarters. His comedy is well received and is a welcome addition to the list of Mollywood's great comedians.
Lal Jose has tried to show Spain in all it's splendour, and he succeeds in parts. The bullfight, La Tomatino Festival and the Flamenco dance are shown in the movie. He has given a fun filled and fast-paced first half. The second half in comparison is slower as things get more serious. The cinematography by Lokanathan is average and Benny P Nayaramblam could have worked a little more on his script.



Keywords: Indian film industry, Spain, Zindagi Na Milegi Dobara, Kandaswamy, Manmadan Ambu ,Spanish Masala, Noushad, Big Screen Productions,Spanish Masala, romantic-comedy , Lal Jose, Benny P Nayarambalam's script,Janapriya Nayakan' Dileep , Kunchako Boban, Arabikatha, foreign girl, Daniela Zacherl, movie's heroine, Elsamma Enna Aankutty , Marykundoru Kunchadu ,Omanathinkal Kidaavo,The Austrian, Daniela,TV comedian Nelson,Mollywood's great comedians,La Tomatino Festival,Flamenco dance ,cinematography , Lokanathan.

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സ്വകാര്യ ചാനല്* സംപ്രേക്ഷണം ചെയ്ത സിനിമാ അവലോകന പരിപാടിയില്* പറഞ്ഞ അഭിപ്രായം രസിയ്ക്കാത്ത സ്പാനിഷ് മസാലയിലെ നടന്* ചാനലിനെതിരെ ഭീഷണി മുഴക്കിയത്രേ. സിനിമ പ്രതീക്ഷിച്ചത്ര ന്നായില്ല എന്ന ഭാഗം നീക്കം ചെയ്യണമെന്നും അത് പുനസംപ്രേക്ഷണം ചെയ്യരുതെന്നും പറഞ്ഞ് നടന്റെ ആളുകളും നടന്* തന്നെയും പലവട്ടം ചാനലുമായി ബന്ധപ്പെട്ടുവെന്നാണ് അറിയുന്നത്.

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കാസനോവയെ മൃദുവായെങ്കിലും വിമര്*ശിച്ച ഇന്ത്യാവിഷന്* ചാനലിനെതിരെ ലാല്* ആരാധകര്* നടത്തുന്ന
പ്രചാരണങ്ങളും ഇതിന് സമാനമാണെന്ന് ചൂണ്ടിക്കാണിയ്ക്കപ്പെടുന്നു. തങ്ങള്*ക്ക് രസിയ്ക്കാത്ത കാര്യങ്ങള്* കേള്*ക്കുമ്പോള്* പ്രകോപിതരായ ആരാധകര്* നടത്തുന്ന ഈ ആക്രമണം മലയാള സിനിമയ്ക്ക് ആത്യന്തികമായി ഗുണം ചെയ്യില്ലെന്ന കാര്യമുറപ്പാണ്