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My Dear Kuttichathan 3D

I had seen My Dear Kuttichathan in 3D when I was very young. It would be more than 15 years I guess but I still have memories of the awesomeness that I had experienced through the stereoscopic 3D then. To revisit the film again upon its 2011 re-release (This was the second re-release of the film. The film is called Chhota Chetan in Hindi and Chutti Chathan in Tamizh.) was an experience that I never wanted to miss.
My dear Kuttichathan has been directed by Jijo and this was India's first stereoscopic 3D film. He was also the man who came up one of South India's first 70mm film with Padayottam. I still wonder why Jijo did not make many more films and it is strange that there weren't anyone to carry on the inventive nature in making films in Malayalam even afterwards.
My dear Kuttichathan does not have a story credit. But I have heard that it has been based on a short story that was written by non other than Padmarajan himself. It is a remarkable story that the film narrates a fantasy tale that revovles around three school children and a Kuttichathan. I'm not sure how effectively I could translate what a Kuttichathan is, but it can be called as a sort of a genie. The screenplay and dialogues from Regunath Paleri carries enough fun and isn't very long either. But there are certain things rather disappointing about the making of the film. Jijo has made the film as a multi-lingual and the focus is lost on the matter of language at most parts.
(The earlier release of the film had a portion that featured Kalabhavan Mani as a black magician. This sub plot has been replaced with Urmila's similar story this time, which would have been shot for the Hindi audience in the earlier release.)
Yet, Jijo manages to pull off the film without much fuzz thanks to the content and the exceptionally brilliant 3D techniques. The visual effects and the additional scenes for the release does look a lot outdated but the stereoscopic 3D has an amazing impact. Illayaraja's music almost as good as it has been though I did miss the voice of S. Janaki in that awesome song.
I happened to see My dear Kuttichathan at the cinema that was more than half packed with plenty of children and parents. There is indeed some magic that is working for the film and that isn't like the black magic that Jijo shows in his film! I wonder how many films would manage to attract crowds and still find success upon a first re-release.
The revolving corridor in Inception created enough noise among movie goers I guess. The 3D of James Cameron's avatar did its talking as well. But before all these, India had a Kuttichathan who tried it and proved it all right. Isn't the world missing something more from you, Jijo!

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