Cinema can be weird. Sometimes a movie captures a very specific cultural zeitgeist that doesn't quite translate if you aren't from a particular corner of the world. CIA: Comrade in America is exactly that kind of film. Released in 2017 and directed by Amal Neerad, it isn't just a movie about a guy chasing a girl. It is a messy, vibrant, and surprisingly deep look at Communism in Kerala, the desperation of illegal immigration, and the sheer audacity of young love.
Honestly, if you haven't seen it, the plot sounds like a fever dream. You have Dulquer Salmaan playing Aji Matthew, a "Pala Achayan" who is also a die-hard Communist. He basically spends his days painting murals of Che Guevara and getting into scuffles for the party. But then, the girl he loves, Sarah (played by Karthika Muralidharan), is forced back to the US by her parents to get married. Aji doesn't have a visa. He doesn't have time. So, what does he do? He decides to travel to Mexico and cross the border into the United States illegally.
It’s wild.
The Politics of CIA: Comrade in America
Most people outside of Kerala don't really get the visual language of this movie. In Kerala, Communism isn't just a political stance; it's a subculture. Amal Neerad uses this brilliantly. The first half of the film is drenched in red. It’s loud. It’s local. Aji Matthew isn't some theoretical Marxist reading dusty books in a library. He’s a guy who lives the ideology on the streets of Kottayam.
The film does something really interesting by humanizing these political figures. Aji has "conversations" with Lenin, Che Guevara, and Marx. They appear to him as hallucinations or manifestations of his conscience. It’s a bit surreal, kinda funny, and actually helps explain his internal moral compass. He isn't just running across the desert because he’s a romantic; he’s doing it because his ideological upbringing has taught him that borders are artificial and that the struggle is universal.
Is it realistic? Not really. But it feels true to the character.
Crossing the Border: More Than Just Action
The second half of CIA: Comrade in America shifts gears entirely. We leave the lush greenery of Kerala for the harsh, unforgiving landscapes of Central America and Mexico. This is where the movie gets surprisingly dark.
Aji meets a group of people from all over the world—China, Sri Lanka, Pakistan—all trying to get into the "Land of the Free." Here, the movie touches on the harrowing reality of "donkey flights" and human trafficking. You see the vulnerability of these migrants. They aren't "invaders," as some news outlets might put it; they are terrified people who have spent their life savings for a chance at a better life.
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There's a specific tension in these scenes. You’ve got Dulquer, who is a massive star, looking genuinely haggard and desperate. It’s a far cry from his usual "urban cool" persona. The cinematography by Renadive captures the dust and the heat so well you can almost feel it. They aren't just walking; they are surviving.
- The Nicaragua Connection: The route Aji takes is a real-world path used by many illegal migrants.
- The Language Barrier: The film handles the multi-lingual interactions with a lot of grace, showing how shared suffering creates a language of its own.
- The Reality Check: While Aji is the hero, the film doesn't shy away from showing that not everyone makes it.
Why Dulquer Salmaan Was the Only Choice
Dulquer Salmaan has this innate ability to look like he belongs anywhere. Whether he’s a racer in Bangalore or a migrant in Mexico, he sells it. In CIA: Comrade in America, he has to balance being a tough political activist with being a vulnerable kid out of his depth.
His chemistry with the "ghosts" of the Communist leaders is actually one of the highlights. It could have been incredibly cheesy, but DQ plays it with such sincerity that you just go along with it. His performance is the anchor. Without his charisma, the massive shift in tone between the two halves of the movie might have felt too jarring.
The Music and the "Amal Neerad" Aesthetic
If you know Amal Neerad's work (Big B, Bheeshma Parvam), you know the man loves a good slow-motion shot. CIA: Comrade in America is no different. Every frame is stylized. Gopi Sundar’s background score is absolutely fire—especially "Kerala Manninayi," which became an anthem for youth wings of the political parties in Kerala for years after the release.
The music isn't just filler. It drives the narrative. The transition from the folk-heavy, energetic sounds of Kerala to the more somber, atmospheric tracks in the Mexican desert helps the audience feel the distance Aji has traveled.
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What the Critics Got Wrong
When the movie first came out, some critics felt it was "half-baked." They argued that the political setup didn't mesh well with the border-crossing thriller aspect. Honestly? I think they missed the point. The whole idea is that Aji’s identity—his "Comrade" status—is tested by the reality of the world. It’s easy to be a revolutionary in your hometown. It’s much harder to maintain those ideals when you’re staring down a coyote with a gun in the middle of a desert.
Actionable Takeaways for Movie Buffs
If you're looking to dive deeper into this film or the themes it presents, here are a few things to keep in mind:
1. Watch the Original Version
Don't settle for a dubbed version if you can help it. The nuances of the Malayali dialect, especially the Kottayam accent Aji uses, add a layer of authenticity that gets lost in translation. Subtitles are your friend here.
2. Look into the "Donkey Flight" Phenomenon
The movie is a gateway to understanding a very real global crisis. If the second half of the film intrigued you, researching the real-life stories of migrants from Punjab or Kerala who attempt these journeys provides a sobering perspective on the fiction.
3. Check out the Soundtrack
Even if you don't watch the movie, Gopi Sundar's work on this is top-tier. It’s a masterclass in how to blend local cultural sounds with modern cinematic orchestration.
4. Follow the Director's Evolution
If you liked the visual style of CIA: Comrade in America, you should definitely watch Bheeshma Parvam. It shows how Amal Neerad refined his high-stylized aesthetic into something even more commercially potent.
The film ends on a note that isn't exactly a "happily ever after" in the traditional sense. It’s more of a "life goes on" realization. Aji Matthew grows up. He realizes the world is a lot bigger and a lot more complicated than the walls he used to paint in Pala. That’s why the movie stays with you. It’s a coming-of-age story wrapped in a political thriller, hidden inside a road movie. It shouldn't work, but somehow, it does.
To get the most out of your viewing, pay attention to the color palettes. Notice how the vibrant reds of the first half slowly bleed into the washed-out ochres and greys of the desert. It’s a visual representation of Aji’s idealism meeting the cold, hard ground of reality. That attention to detail is what makes a movie more than just a Friday night distraction. It turns it into a piece of art that demands a second look.