‘Masthishka Maranam’ movie review: Krishand’s latest offering is a wild, wild ride for sci-fi lovers

Masthishka Maranam blends humor and socio-political satire in a dystopian sci-fi adventure

Krishand’s latest offering and his first big theatrical release, Masthishka Maranam: A Frankenbiting of Simon’s Memories, has Krishand’s stamp all over as he has, after all, written and directed it. The sci-fi flick - ‘retro-futuristic/cyber-punk’- feels more real than fiction, set in the not-too-distant future, 2046. It is as simple as it is complicated. If you liked Arun Chandu’s stunning debut, the sci-fi mockumentary, Gaganachari(2024) or Blade Runner, for that matter (but with humour), then this one is also for you.   

The future that Krishand takes us to is dystopian and occasionally hilarious for the sheer absurdity of things. A Neokochi with its flying cars, drones, cyborgs, climate change, memories on sale and, among other things, people whose lives are virtuality-dependent get painful memories surgically removed. Like Krishand’s other works, this film is complex, loaded with satire and socio-political commentary.

Niranj Maniyanpillai Raju in ‘Masthishka Maranam’ | Photo Credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT

Rajisha Vijayan is impressive as Frida Soman, the superstar who is the stuff of everybody’s fantasies in the film. Performances are exaggerated because the story demands it, and also because the film is marked by Wes Anderson-esque eccentricity. Frida is a hat doff to Mexican artist Frida Kahlo. We, in fact, see Kahlo’s framed image in one of the scenes. The film’s universe has been built with thought, a generous dose of intelligence, and wit. There is a lot to unpack!

The action begins with Bimal Raj (Niranj Maniyanpillai Raju), who, to grieve the loss of his young daughter, plays a memory ‘empathy’ game to stay connected with her. While he dwells on the memory of his child, his wife has those surgically removed. As the film progresses, the virtual and the real meld. We are left wondering about reality, perception…the post-modern condition! 

In order to understand the film, understanding ‘frankenbiting’ helps, for those unfamiliar with technology/editing terminology. An editing technique, frankenbiting, is used in reality TV also to supposedly aid narrative manipulation (among other things) “to make a person appear more dramatic or more villainous.” This can be used to distort the reality/truth of a recorded event. Which is what happens in the film as we see versions of reality.