Valiyangadi is a film that depends entirely on its action sequences to keep the time rolling. The action is nothing much to crow about either sadly. There are the regular fisticuffs of course, but nothing to make your jaw drop in amazement. What is indeed amazing is the way in which villains drop out of the sky in the film. To start with we have someone called Kottarathil Pappachan calling the shots. Just as we get used to him, along comes John Christopher who warns that the second half is going to be one with several setbacks for Ananthu. He disappears without a trace and someone called Asal Alam Khan makes a momentary climactic appearance before being shown the exit.

Valiyangadi movie is all about Ananthu (Manikuttan) who is a graduate born in a big ancestral family, who opted to become a head load worker.

An idealist who wanted to prove the worth of every jobs, Ananthu easily became the leader of the entire trade union workers of Valiyangadi market in a very short while. Without any differentiation in politician, religion or language, every independent worker of the market adorned him as their unquestionable leader and hero, for whom they were ready to do anything.

But for shrewd, cunning businessmen and corrupt politicians, this tie up was more a menace and they plotted ways to somehow corner Ananthu and throw him out of the market. Some smaller issues created troubles for Ananthu, which he managed to clear off with his sincere ways.

But when he had a love affair with Gowry (Varada) who is a girl born in the nearby slums and reared by the market folks, everyone started to doubt his intentions. As the relation was presented with a lot of false stories, many starts to dislike him. Ananthu was not prepared to fail in his life, even for his love. And he now decides to take on the business mafia and their evil ways.

Manikkuttan might be a good actor; but to cast him in a role that an entire audience identifies with one of the most macho actors of all times, is a great offence. Both to Manikuttan and the viewers. To his credit, the young actor tries his best to pump up some power, but Jayan as we remember wasn’t all about muscle. The machismo of the yesteryear actor can in no way be replicated that easily, and its here that Manikuttan falters, though for no fault of his own.