Without any exaggeration, we can best describe director Ranjith's latest Mammootty starrer Paleri Manikyam: Oru Pathira Kolapathakathinte Katha as an outstanding, exceptionally brilliant and intelligently executed film. Based on T.P. Rajeevan's famous novel 'Paleri Maanikyam - Oru Paathira Kolapathakathinte Katha', serialized in Mathrubhumi (weekly) in the early 60's, the film, as the title indicates, develops on the lines of the infamous Manikyam murder that took place 51 years back (1958) at Paleri near Kozhikode. The story begins with a private detective Haridas (Mammootty), who along with his friend and criminologist Sarayu (Gowri Munjal) returns to his birthplace to solve a murder mystery that occurred on the same night he was born. He takes up this case not to find or punish the culprit, as all the suspects in the case are dead, but just to satisfy his curiosity. Manikyam died just a couple of days after her marriage to Pokkan, who was the good-for-nothing son of Cheeru (Swetha Menon). Soon, all fingers start pointing to Murikkumkunnath Ahmed Haji (Mammootty in a special appearance), the rich and brash landlord, who virtually ruled the area according to his impulses and terms. He feared none and slept with every woman he set his eyes on, brutally assaulting the poor. But for Haridas, some crucial missing links in the murder case are yet to be proved. Who was the real culprit and what were his intentions? Buy a ticket and watch the film! Paleri Manikyam is a very intriguing watch and it is with absolute awe that one would come out of the theatres! Due to its bloody, realistic and adult theme, the film might not be liked by all and is not suitable for children, but for people who like watching interesting stories without the trappings of usual commercial cinema, it would be a different treat. Paleri Manikyam, of course, has some flaws and scope for further improvement, but the writer-director's ability to handle such an intricate tale needs to be appreciated