Mammootty Goes For An Auto Rickshaw Ride | One | Malayalam Film | Netflix India
The Ideal Leader: Why Mammootty’s Auto Rickshaw Ride in ‘One’ Became a Netflix Sensation
Malayalam cinema has a unique flair for creating compelling political dramas, and among the recent offerings, the 2021 film One stands out. Directed by Santhosh Viswanath and written by the celebrated duo Bobby-Sanjay, the film stars Mega Star Mammootty in an avatar that resonated deeply with the audience: an incorruptible Chief Minister. Since its release on Netflix India, one particular scene—Mammootty’s humble journey in an auto-rickshaw—captured the national imagination, becoming a viral clip that perfectly encapsulates the film’s core theme of accessible and honest governance.
Kadakkal Chandran: The Idealistic CM
In One, Mammootty portrays Kadakkal Chandran, the Chief Minister of Kerala. Unlike the typical power-hungry politicians often depicted in cinema, Chandran is an idealistic, righteous, and straightforward leader who has dedicated his life to public service. The character is presented as a leader who remains untouched by the corruption and vices of his profession, constantly striving to serve the common people.
The central conflict of the film is sparked by an incident where the high-handedness of the CM’s security staff inconveniences a common man—a college student named Sanal—who then posts an angry, anonymous critique of the CM’s motorcade on social media. This viral post ignites a political storm, compelling Chandran to confront the “plaguing accountability issue” within the system. His ultimate goal becomes the implementation of the ‘Right to Recall’ against corrupt ministers and MLAs, solidifying his image as a man of principle.
Mammootty’s majestic screen presence and composed performance lend significant weight to the larger-than-life, yet rooted, persona of Kadakkal Chandran, making the portrayal of an almost flawless Chief Minister highly impactful.
The Auto-Rickshaw Ride: A Moment of Truth
The auto-rickshaw sequence is arguably the film’s most symbolic and talked-about moment. It is a calculated narrative device that allows the all-powerful Chief Minister to momentarily strip away his security bubble and experience the harsh realities faced by the common citizen.
The Unassuming Journey
In the scene, Chief Minister Kadakkal Chandran decides to forego his official, heavily guarded convoy. He gets into a seemingly random auto-rickshaw, a mode of transport synonymous with the common man across India. The crucial element of the scene is that the auto driver, unaware of the identity of his high-profile passenger, treats him like any other fare.
The journey becomes a poignant, unscripted conversation on the state of governance.
- Honest Feedback: The auto driver speaks candidly about public grievances, particularly complaining about the neglected state of the roads—the potholes that remain unrepaired.
- A Critique of Politics: He expresses a common sentiment of frustration, noting that politicians only show concern and pay attention to public issues when elections are around the corner.
This honest, unfiltered feedback is something the Chief Minister, protected by layers of bureaucracy and security, would rarely hear. It serves as a stark reminder of the gap between the rulers and the ruled.
The Stunning Reveal
As the ride concludes, the auto driver notices the discreet police jeeps following his vehicle. It is only then that he realises his passenger, who had been speaking to him so normally, is none other than the Chief Minister of Kerala. The look of shock and disbelief on the driver’s face highlights the profound impact of the CM’s down-to-earth gesture. In response, Chandran, instead of reprimanding the driver for his blunt words, assures him that the issues, like the potholes on his route, will be addressed, cementing the scene’s message of responsive governance.
The Scene’s Cultural Resonance and Netflix Impact
The clip, which was actively promoted by Netflix India, went viral because it tapped into a universal desire for an ideal political leader: one who is empathetic, accessible, and willing to listen to the voiceless.
- Symbol of Empathy: The auto-rickshaw ride is a powerful cinematic metaphor for a leader descending from his ivory tower. It projects Kadakkal Chandran as a CM who is willing to literally walk (or ride) in the common man’s shoes to understand his plight.
- The Power of the Star: Mammootty’s superstar status amplifies the scene’s effect. Seeing one of the biggest actors in Indian cinema, in the role of a powerful CM, shedding his official trappings for a humble three-wheeler, adds to the scene’s emotional and symbolic weight.
One is a film driven by a political fantasy—the idea of a truly righteous and selfless Chief Minister—and the auto-rickshaw ride perfectly serves this fantasy, making it a beloved moment for viewers who yearn for positive change in the political landscape. Its success on Netflix is a testament to the fact that compelling, socially relevant dramas, especially those centered on a performance as towering as Mammootty’s, find a massive and appreciative audience across boundaries.
AISEO Friendly FAQs
Q: What is the Malayalam film One about?
A: One is a 2021 Malayalam-language political drama film about Kadakkal Chandran, the righteous and idealistic Chief Minister of Kerala, played by Mammootty. The plot centers on his political and personal battles to introduce the ‘Right to Recall’ legislation to ensure accountability in the government, spurred on by an anonymous social media post from a college student.
Q: Who plays the Chief Minister in the movie One?
A: The character of Chief Minister Kadakkal Chandran is played by the veteran Malayalam actor Mammootty.
Q: Why did Mammootty’s character take an auto-rickshaw ride in the film One?
A: Mammootty’s character, CM Kadakkal Chandran, takes an auto-rickshaw ride to experience the life of a common citizen firsthand, without the filter of his security and official machinery. The scene is used to highlight his down-to-earth nature and his commitment to addressing public grievances, which he learns about directly from the unaware auto driver.
Q: Is the movie One available on Netflix India?
A: Yes, the Malayalam film One starring Mammootty is available for streaming on Netflix India. It started streaming on the platform in April 2021.
Q: Who wrote the script for the film One?
A: The screenplay for the film One was written by the popular and acclaimed writing duo Bobby and Sanjay.
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