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Best Malayalam Movies: 2021 is a crucial year for Malayalam cinema, as it tries to beat the lockdown blues and convert every tough scenario into an opportunity. With the intervention of creativity and the right technology, the industry is producing more content that intrigues as well as entertains the audience. In this segment, you can find the most recent updates, trailer, information about the cast and crew, and every piece of information about the top-rated Malayalam movies of 2021.

Ellam Sheriyakum

19 nov 2021 | 2 hrs 18 mins.

Asif Ali , Rajisha Vijayan , Siddique , Balu Varghese

Synopsis: Ellam Sheriyakum does not support any ideology, but shows a mirror to the problems in both political parties, and is not pedantic while doing so

Vellam, The Essential Drink

22 jan 2021 | 2 hrs 34 mins.

Jayasurya , Samyuktha Menon

Synopsis: Murali ignores the people around him who struggle due to his unhealthy use of alcohol. A young and energetic man, who is supposed to have a happy life with his parents, wife and child, mostly sleeps on the streets. How long will people who love him tolerate this?

24 Dec 2021 | 2 hrs 9 mins

Asif Ali , Vineeth Sreenivasan , Siddique , Roopesh Peethambaran

Synopsis: A campus romance and coming-of-age story

Bheemante Vazhi

03 dec 2021 | 1 hr 55 mins.

Kunchacko Boban , Chemban Vinod Jose , Suraj Venjaramoodu , Jinu Joseph , Nirmal Palazhi , Shabareesh Varma

Synopsis: Director Ashraf Hamza breathes life into Chemban Vinod’s charming script and brings his gentle touch to the film

19 Nov 2021 | 2 hrs 27 mins

Lal , Arjun Ashokan , Balu Varghese , Basil Joseph , Ria Saira , Chembil Ashokan , Prashanth Murali

Synopsis: This is a film that will make you both laugh and cry at the same time, offering insights into the meaning of happiness, togetherness, friendship and more.

12 Nov 2021 | 2 hrs 36 mins

Dulquer Salmaan , Sobhita Dhulipala , Indrajith Sukumaran , Shine Tom Chacko , Sunny Wayne

Synopsis: The story is a tough one to tell, but the makers keep you on the edge of the seat, even when the narration goes back and forth in time to chart Kurup’s mysterious misdeeds

14 Apr 2021 | 1 hr 59 mins

Rajisha Vijayan , Venkitesh VP , Mamitha Baiju

Synopsis: In a state where we grew up admiring how coach Nambiar and his protégé Usha brought back athletic glory in truckloads, Kho Kho is a highly relatable tale of a talented athlete transferring her spark of desire onto the next generation

08 Apr 2021 | 2 hrs 2 mins

Joju George , Kunchacko Boban , Nimisha Sajayan

Synopsis: A couple of policeman get into a scuffle with the goon and throw him into the cell. The issue spins out of control however, when the three CPOs are caught in an accident

Aanum Pennum

26 mar 2021 | 1 hr 37 mins.

Asif Ali , Indrajith Sukumaran , Joju George , Nedumudi Venu , Roshan Mathew , Samyuktha Menon , Basil Joseph , Kaviyoor Ponnamma

Synopsis: Aanum Pennum plays mostly into the stereotype of an F-rated cinema. There is the "empowered" strong and bold woman at the face of a crisis most often created by a physically or socially mighty abusive man.

25 Mar 2021 | 2 hrs 7 mins

Tovino Thomas , Divya Pillai , Lal , Sumesh Moor

Synopsis: Though there is a lot of extreme action in the film, it ends on a different note and also offers the audience an intriguing message. The film can be a visual treat for those who love action movies.

29 Jan 2021 | 1 hr 48 mins

Vineeth , Joy Mathew , Anaswara Rajan , Nandana Varma

Synopsis: An interesting thought instilled in the minds of Raziya and her classmates by a teacher urges Raziya to reveal her biggest wish – to recite the azaan. And all hell breaks loose, predictably.

Oru Thathvika Avalokanam

31 dec 2021 | 2 hrs 10 mins.

Joju George , Aju Varghese , Abhirami , Shammi Thilakan , Major Ravi , Prasanth

Synopsis: While the movie effectively pokes fun at political parties and their antics and elicits abundant laughter through the same, its proceedings, after a point, are too old school and cinematic to have an effect

24 Dec 2021 | 2 hrs 25 mins

Soubin Shahir , Mamta Mohandas , Salim Kumar

Synopsis: The film brings in messages about tolerance of other religions and communities, and also about not stifling children

Michael's Coffee House

10 dec 2021 | 2 hrs 22 mins.

Dheeraj Denny , Renji Panicker , Spadikam George , Jins Baskar , Mohan Sharma , Pradeep Kottayam , Sinoj Varghese , Seetha

Synopsis: Jisso Jose's powerful script keeps the audience keen about the suspense, which is nicely knitted in with family ties and the emotions

Anugraheethan Antony

01 apr 2021 | 2 hrs 0 mins.

Sunny Wayne , Gouri G Kishan , Indrans , Suraj Venjaramoodu , Baiju Santhosh , Prashanth Alexander , Jaffer Idukki

Synopsis: Antony's father believes he is a good-for-nothing person and buys two dogs and raises them as his children. The whole scenario irks Antony. The movie is about how his life changes

Aarkkariyam

01 apr 2021 | 2 hrs 4 mins.

Biju Menon , Parvathy , Sharafudheen , Saiju Kurup

Synopsis: The story progresses at a slow-breathing pace, piecing together the kind of montages that most people have experienced during the lockdown

26 Mar 2021 | 2 hrs 32 mins

Mammootty , Murali Gopy , Joju George , Nimisha Sajayan , Salim Kumar , Jagadish , Siddique , Gayathri Arun

Synopsis: Although One is built around a power struggle, the main focus of the movie is the Chief Minister - his personal and professional lives.

Mohan Kumar Fans

19 mar 2021 | 2 hrs 6 mins.

Kunchacko Boban , Anarkali Nazar , Siddique , Asif Ali , Sreenivasan , Ramesh Pisharody , Vinay Forrt , Sethu Lakshmi , Saiju Kurup

Synopsis: As a film about the film industry, the movie’s approach is realistic and also gently touches upon the latest trends of manufacturing one’s ‘viral’ moment and crafting a social media persona

Varthamanam

12 mar 2021 | 2 hrs 6 mins.

Parvathy , Roshan Mathew , Siddique , Dain Davis

Synopsis: Research student Faiza Sufiya's secular ideals put her at loggerheads with fundamentalists from not only from her community, but also from Hindutva proponents. The events that follow remind us of the news we watch, read and hear all too frequently around us.

11 Mar 2021 | 2 hrs 27 mins

Mammootty , Manju Warrier , Nikhila Vimal , Sreenath Bhasi , Saniya Iyyappan

Synopsis: At 140 minutes, the story seems to drag on and you can't take another loud crash, bang or scream. The sound department has done a good job, but has gone a little on the extreme side.

11 Mar 2021 | 2 hrs 2 mins

Balu Varghese , Aradhya Ann , Aju Varghese , Innocent , Nishaa Mathew , Suresh Krishna

Synopsis: A small incident is blown up into a big issue involving families

26 Feb 2021 | 2 hrs 19 mins

George Kora , Namita Krishnamurthy , Shantikrishna , Sarasa Balussery

Synopsis: Thoma ‘kidnaps’ older brother Sebu from his adoptive parents and the young men travel to their childhood parental home, which is lying deserted and overgrown

Black Coffee

19 feb 2021 | 2 hrs 22 mins.

Lal , Baburaj , Sunny Wayne , Swetha Menon , Lena , Oviya Helen

Synopsis: Will cook Babu who shares a deep bond with Kalidasan return to the latter's house after their misunderstanding?

Saajan Bakery Since 1962

12 feb 2021.

Aju Varghese , Lena , Ganesh Kumar

Synopsis: Viewers are offered many delicious glimpses into the preparation of bakery items to traditional Kerala dishes, on and off. Certain scenes, like the one in which Jaffer Idukki’s character is taken back in time as he tastes something, were fun and relatable to watch

12 Feb 2021 | 1 hr 53 mins

Amith Chakalakkal , Nirmal Palazhi , Nedumudi Venu , Saikumar , Indrans

Synopsis: The film, scripted and directed by Pinku, has tried to throw light on a relevant issue that the State has been facing in the transportation sector. Through the story, the filmmaker has also attempted to give some suggestions to the system.

Operation Java

12 feb 2021 | 2 hrs 26 mins.

Vinayakan , Shine Tom Chacko , Balu Varghese , Mamitha Baiju , Binu Pappu , Lukman Lukku , Mathew Thomas

Synopsis: The crux of Operation Java is built on the timely themes of cyber issues and the plight of daily wage workers

31 Dec 2021 | 2 hrs 20 mins

Dileesh Pothan , Anjali Nair , Amith Chakalakkal , Sunil Sukhada , Jacob Gregory , Alencier Ley Lopez , Biju Sopanam

Synopsis: For those thinking about holidaying in Africa, the film offers a glimpse into some picturesque locations in the country, featuring some of its chase sequences in its pretty beaches, valleys and even certain sunbaked stretches.

Vidhi: The Verdict

30 dec 2021 | 2 hrs 4 mins.

Anoop Menon , Dharmajan Bolgatty , Sheelu Abraham , Manoj K. Jayan , Noorin Shereef

Synopsis: Dinesh Pallath’s screenplay doesn’t give you any new dimension and it doesn’t really create a connect with the audience, till the second half

Ajagajantharam

23 dec 2021 | 2 hrs 2 mins.

Antony Varghese , Chemban Vinod Jose , Jaffer Idukki , Arjun Asokan , Lukman Lukku , Sabumon Abdusamad

Synopsis: Ajagajantharam seems purely a movie for the sake of stunts and there is hardly the slightest sliver of a story holding together the fight sequences

Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham

02 dec 2021 | 3 hrs 1 min.

Mohanlal , Manju Warrier , Suniel Shetty , Prabhu , Arjun Sarja , Pranav Mohanlal , Ashok Selvan , Keerthy Suresh , Kalyani Priyadarshan , Nedumudi Venu , Innocent

Synopsis: There are hardly any historic records of Marakkar, so the story is built around the history and stories of the time

Sayu Suzukawa , Akari Takaishi , Taisei Kido

Christmas Eve In Miller's Point

Maria Dizzia , Michael Cera , Elsie Fisher , Ben Shenkman

Ajay Devgn , Bhumika Chawla , Sameera Reddy , Rajpal Yadav

Johnny Lever , Ahilya Bamroo , Abhishek Bachchan , Jayant Kripalani

Ariana Grande , Jonathan Bailey , Michelle Yeoh , Jeff Goldblum , Adam James

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BEST MALAYALAM MOVIES OF 2022

1. Bheeshma Parvam

2. Rorschach

3. Hridayam

7. Super Sharanya

8. Jana Gana Mana

9. Night Drive

10. Freedom Fight

11. Meppadiyan

12. Twenty One Grams

13. Bhoothakaalam

15. Bro Daddy

17. Jo and Jo

18. 12th Man

19. John Luther

20. Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam

21. Malayankunju

22. Mahaveeryar

23. Ela Veezha Poonchira

24. Thallumaala

25. Nna, Thaan Case Kodu

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2022 Wrap: Best Malayalam Films Of The Year

2022 may be looked at as Malayalam cinema’s year of contradictions. As we sit today looking back at the year that was, the only obvious film you expected to make it to this list was Amal Neerad’s  Bheesma Parvam , which came with enough hype to power a small town. The rest, including a film with 15 songs and a courtroom drama filled with first-time actors, hardly felt like propositions that could bring lakhs of people back to theatres. With films like  Puzhu  and  Rorschach , you may look back at 2022 as the year of Mammootty too. Prithviraj too had a terrific year with superhits  Kaduva  and  Jana Gana Mana .  With the hit ratio returning to pre-Covid days, we can conservatively hope that Malayalam continues its new wave without worrying about another wave of the pandemic. As we wait for that, all we can say for 2023 is “chambiko”.   

Aavasyavyuham: The Arbit Documentation Of An Amphibian Hunt

Inarguably the most unique film of this year is Krishand RK’s second feature  Aavasavvyuham .  Thematically, it may remind one of Aravindan’s  Esthappan (1980) ,  as various accounts from various sources offer us pieces to a puzzle to understand the origins story of an unlikely superhero. Part Aquaman, part Devil, we see many shades to Joy (Rahul Rajagopal), the vegetarian fisherman who has the ability to speak to marine life. He is often compared (often wrongly) by these sources to various aquatic beings yet the mockumentary is best when it gets us to observe humankind and its ways as though we’re watching a National Geographic documentary. With satire and a love for the absurd, it becomes more than a film about the environment and the mutation we go through as a species when we mess with nature. If you loved it, also check out Krishand’s  Vrithakrithyilulla Charthuram ,  about a son who wonders why he cannot cry when the news of his father’s death arrives.

Asangadithar

Directed by Kunjila Masillamani, this hilarious segment in  Freedom Fight ,  forces us to accept our privilege for just having access to clean water and a loo at our workplace. A set of the most natural actors (most of them unfamiliar) take us into their lives as we see them work in one of Calicut’s most dense markets and their conversations are mostly about answering nature’s call. A sequence involving an IAS officer offering a quick-fix in the form of a mobile toilet, gets us to realise how little we know about the practicalities of the issue at hand. Yet the “LOLness” of this scene makes us forget that we’re indeed watching an “issue film”. It grows on you to become more when you’re also able to enjoy it simply as a terrific buddy film.  Asangadithar  is a blueprint for how a film with women talking about women’s issues does not necessarily have to be smug or pretentious. 

Bhoothakaalam

New-age Malayalam cinema finally got its first great horror film with Rahul Sadasivan’s  Bhoothakaalam  and it got there without having to rely on any cliches you’d expect from the genre. Set in the most normal middle-class house you can imagine for a horror movie, the discomfort comes from knowing how all of us are shockingly close to the plight of these characters. Beneath the supernatural hides a dysfunctional family, with a depressed mother and a insomniac son. Both Revathy and Shane Nigam gave us their best performances of the year and the film also gave us lessons on grief and overcoming past trauma, the “ghosts” of which will keep haunting you if you do not find a way to stick together. 

Bheeshma Parvam

Amal Neerad’s second film with Mammootty reminds one of the reasons why we fell in love with movies at the first place. Larger-than-life was almost a forgotten language in Malayalam, especially post-pandemic, only for it to be brought with megawatts of pure style and a Megastar who can still exhale swag. The Bolt camera that was used for its signature fight sequence, got its own separate fan base and the film’s styling brought back Walkmans, acid-washed jeans and rock-band t-shirts like it was the 90s. Beyond all that, it also gave us the smug satisfaction and relief that we too could pull off mass like it’s nobody’s business.

The first half of  Hridayam  remains frustrating to this day, as it tries to stuff four-years’ worth of life events into a little over an hour. But as it skips over to the other side, the coming-of-age matures a lot like its lead Arun (Pranav Mohanlal) as he hits his last 20s. There’s time for these profound moments to breathe now and we finally get a romance that allows its protagonist to deal with his biggest heartbreak, affording him the luxury to move on. The scene in which Darshana stares at Arun’s newborn baby remains a confounding piece of drama, but not as perplexing as the other scene in which Arun chooses to call her first, of all people, to share the news of him becoming a father. Recycling the first words that came to mind while watching the film, it then becomes a direct NEFT transfer from Vineeth Sreenivasana’s  hridayam  to ours. 

Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey

Right from the very first sequence, a montage of an everywoman getting ready to go to work with her sleeping husband’s feet extending outwards, to tiny two-second shots (like a tree-climbing Jaya being asked to get down),  Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey  is a film that’s as fascinating for its writing as it is for its form. The use of music, for instance, including a clever play with the flute to depict Jaya’s ( Darshana Rajendran kicking ass) expectations breaking one after another, is in itself one more reason to rewatch this family comedy action woman-empowerment riot. Vipin Das may have invented a sub-genre with his film and you’re positively envious of everyone who discovered the film’s subtle genre shift, before those scenes became the stuff of social media legend. Basil Joseph brought genuine freshness to his character Rajesh, who you assume is a part of at least two WhatsApp groups along with a man named Shammi, and for once, we get a film that doesn’t look at divorce as defeat. 

Mukundan Unni Associates

The year’s darkest comedy is bleak, depressing, screwed up and also surprising relatable. It marks the re-birth of Vineeth Sreenivasan as a solid actor who can pull off a dangerously complex character who smiles blissfully after emptying a bag of snakes into his rival’s car. It also tosses out the laws of karma weighing down on every screenplay and suddenly, we free its evil protagonist from being killed or punished for the sake of poetic justice. A film that works pretty well as a thriller too, much of its comedy comes from its ingenious use of voiceovers. It gets us to see Mukundan Unni like how he sees himself and some of these lines, including a “magnificent resurrection” right after a personal evil victory, feels like the most twisted kind of poetry.

Nna Thaan Case Kodu

It’s amazing how Ratheesh Balakrishnan Poduval was able to give you the feeling that you’re discovering some Pandora-like new planet with his story set in small-town Chemmeni. With his own signature visual style and the best casting decisions of any movie this year, even the simplest of lines evolved into something epic. The film took on the powers-that-be and even this was done so organically that it felt like it was voicing the concerns of a common person and not with the tint of an agenda. The comedy sequences worked big time and smaller ideas like the cutaways to show increasing fuel prices ensured that this will be spoken about even when petrol starts costing Rs.1000 per litre. 

Saudi Velakka

The best cry of the year was courtesy Tharun Moorthy and his extremely moving movie that is said to be inspired from real-life events. This is also probably going to be only courtroom drama you’re ever going to see where the victim is desperate for his attacker to be let off scot free (he even goes ahead and pays his attacker’s fine). Made with all the love and kindness you’d expect from a Pixar movie,  Saudi Velakka  takes a tiny plot-line and blesses it with characters you fall in love with, without ever making you feel an idea is being stretched too thin.    

Thallumaala

You may love the film almost exclusively for its cool Edgar Wright-like visual style or the unparalleled imagination that went in to creating the structure of its screenplay. But  Thallumaala , believe it or not, is just as trailblazing as a document that takes us deep into one of Malayalam cinema’s most overlooked sub-cultures, with a dialect, personal styles and atmospherics, single-handedly mainstreaming an entire lifestyle. Usually, when a major fight breaks out inside the protagonist’s middle-class father’s movie theatre, we’d be crushed at the damage it is going to cause. But as events go from wild to wildest, the atmosphere inside the movie theatre became nothing short of euphoric frenzy. The film is easily one of the industry’s best ever action films and Khalid Rahman’s gang can take a lot of credit for co-opting the TikTok generation into the cinematic mainstream. The after-burn of the film is so strong that when that you write about, you need to chant “arathakare shantharakuvin” to yourself.  

Special Mentions: 

Rorschach  (for reinventing the wheel for the revenge drama),  Puzhu  (Mammootty’s best performance of the year in a social movie that’s said from the POV of a bigot),  19 1(a)  (a beautiful film that tells you how an idea and ideology can empower anyone),  Super Sharanya  (the sweetest coming-of-age comedy) and  Kuttavum Shikshayum . 

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Aattam review: A magnificent film that brilliantly explores male hypocrisy

There's no simple way to describe anand ekarshi's aattam. it is both a play and a movie. it is also a play within a play within a movie. it is also a courtroom drama, albeit sans a courtroom. however, above all, aattam stands out as one of the most brilliant malayalam movies in recent times..

Just when you believe you’ve unravelled a character in this film and understood their true nature, they utter something incredibly banal or logical, completely shattering your perceptions of them. It’s only after a certain point that we realise they are like us and we are like them — taking stances and forming opinions based on convenience and how much of ours is at stake.

There’s no simple way to describe Anand Ekarshi’s debut feature Aattam (The Play), which was recently screened at the 28th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK). At its core, the film revolves around a woman who faces sexual assault in a space she had considered safe. Simultaneously, it is about a group of men who come together to ‘discuss’ or ‘investigate’ the matter. At the same time, it is also about the insensitivity with which a patriarchal society responds to such cases. The film also exposes male hypocrisy and how men, ultimately, wield influence even in matters they lack understanding of. It also highlights the issue of men not knowing when to shut up and the denial of opportunities for women to speak. Aattam, simultaneously, shows how the burden consistently falls on women to prove the authenticity of their experiences, whereas men often receive a free pass without needing any explanations. Aattam is both a play and a movie, like KG George’s all-time classic Yavanika (1982). It is also a play within a play within a movie. The film can be likened to a courtroom drama too, albeit sans a courtroom. However, above all, it stands out as one of the most brilliant Malayalam movies in recent times.

Anjali (Zarin Shihab) is the sole female member of a drama troupe called Arangu, which consists of 12 male actors, in addition to the director. The film begins by depicting their preparations for staging a play. Anjali assumes the central female role, while Hari (Kalabhavan Shajohn) takes on the male lead and Vinay (Vinay Forrt) plays a significant role in the cast. Following the play’s conclusion, two of Hari’s non-Indian friends visit backstage to congratulate them and extend an invitation for a stay at their resort in Kochi.

The team accepts the invitation and enjoys the night together. However, after the party, at midnight, Anjali, who is sleeping on a diwan cot by an open window, is groped, leaving her traumatised. A few days later, she confides in Vinay, her romantic partner, about the incident and says that Hari did it. Vinay escalates the matter, though Anjali does not want anything to be done about it and just wanted to erase it from her memories, and brings it to the attention of team leader Madhan who urgently calls for a team meeting of all male actors, excluding Hari. They convene at Madhan’s house to discuss the issue and seek an ‘amicable solution’.

The remainder of the film follows their discussions, arguments and the unravelling of their true selves as tensions rise, especially when personal matters come into play.

The film’s greatest strength lies in its intricately crafted screenplay, deftly transforming a sexual assault into a play, a discussion topic and even a case to be investigated, all without diminishing the gravity of the incident or the fact that it was a crime. Early on, the film employs sharp scenes to effectively explore and reveal the characters, their traits, nature and socio-economic backgrounds through dialogues, actions, attire and even subtle glances, laying the groundwork for the unfolding narrative.

As the actors ‘enter the stage’ for the ‘discussion’ play and gather around a roundtable, reminiscent of Sidney Lumet’s 12 Angry Men (1957), the film takes on the tone of a courtroom drama, with arguments and counterarguments presented by parties with little to no knowledge of the situation. Apart from seamlessly allowing the narrative progress in a gradual real-time pace, in contrast to a play or even a movie, Aattam continually provides new masks and attire to each actor as well, while also disrobing and exposing them in tandem. At the same time, the meticulous precision in the writing of each dialogue enhances the depth of the film. Even with its real-time progression, Aattam maintains its essence as a play, divided into acts, allowing us to witness actors entering and exiting each setting or, at times, the stage itself.

Writer-director Anand Ekarshi adeptly exposes the blatant misogyny, sexism, hypocrisy, ego, envy, lust, selfishness, pseudo-righteousness and more from all the characters evenly, leaving no one untouched. It also ensures that Hari’s presence and command are felt throughout, even when he is absent on-screen. Special commendation is deserved for the emphasis placed on the hypocrisies of the holier-than-thou teacher and former newspaper editor, as people often mistake such superficial persons for good ones.

While Aattam delves into the flaws of these men, it consistently keeps Anjali in focus. The film avoids attempting to victim-blame her in any manner, even when almost all characters utter such dialogues and eventually become rape apologists towards the end for personal gains. The film provides Anjali proper agency and never casts doubt on her for even a single moment, which is indeed laudable for a mainstream Malayalam film.

While every actor, nearly all with theatre backgrounds, delivers spectacular performances, Zarin Shihab stands out with her flawless portrayal, skillfully navigating and effectively expressing all the emotions of Anjali. Vinay Forrt and Kalabhavan Shajohn also excel in their respective roles.

Anand Ekarshi’s adept framing of each shot and the strategic use of various shots, especially close-ups that evoke a sense of necessary suffocation, align with the tone and mood of the respective moments, making the film a true gem. Thanks to his decision to conduct a 35-day workshop before filming, every shot in the film appears nearly perfect, with absolutely no flaws. Cinematographer Anurudh Aneesh and Anees Nadodi’s art direction also warrant special praise for the overall brilliance of the film. Mahesh Bhuvanend’s masterful editing contributes to the seamless flow of the movie. Basil CJ’s music, though filling the screen only when required, effectively enhances instances that demand it.

Aattam movie cast: Vinay Forrt, Zarin Shihab, Kalabhavan Shajohn Aattam movie director: Anand Ekarshi Aattam movie rating: 4 stars

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Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at [email protected]. ... Read More

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Bougainvillea Review: A Brilliant Slow Burn That Offers An Explosive Watch

Updated Oct 17, 2024, 17:19 IST

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Sookshmadarshini X Review: Nazriya-Basil Joseph Deliver Another Delectable Thriller, Say Netizens

Published 17:17 IST, November 23rd 2024

As the Malayalam film Sookshmadarshini hits silver screens, movie buffs cannot back themself to sharing how impressed they are with the cinematic experience.

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Sookshmadarshini X Review: Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph's much-awaited suspense thriller finally hit the big screens on November 22, 2024. Helmed by Jithin MC, the film is produced by Sameer Thahir, Shyju Khalid, and AV Anoop. This release marks Nazriya Nazim's return to the cinema after four years. As the film hits the silver screens, movie buffs cannot back themself from sharing how impressed they are with the cinematic experience.

Sookshmadarshini got the green flag from Malayalam fans

After the release, X (former Twitter) is flooded with Sookshmadarshini 's review. Netizens who watched early shows praised both the film's content and the lead actors' performances.

One user described it as, “As the makers said, ‘A Hitchcock-flavored padam rooted in Sathyan Anthikad style.’ It’s grounded and funny while being thrilling and tense at the same time. Frickin’ a brilliant padam. It’s one of the finest of the year. Watch on the big screen without knowing any details.”

Another wrote, “#Sookshmadarshini - Malayalam Cinema continues its glorious run this year. A fantastic thriller, which gets its mood-building and atmospherics bang on. Easily one of the best films this year. Go watch in theatres before someone posts spoilers. It’s worth it.”

A user also complimented the storyline by praising the writer, “A highly intriguing mystery drama that keeps you hooked until the very last minute! With exceptional writing, technical brilliance, and stellar performances, this stands tall as one of the best Malayalam films of the year. Another winner and a must-watch!”

Praising Basil Joseph’s performance, one viewer commented, “Watched #Sookshmadarshini. A well-written mystery thriller with an engaging screenplay. Good performances from #BasilJoseph and Nazriya. It’s different to see Basil in completely serious mode. The second half is so engaging and entertaining. A fully satisfied movie.”

Who is playing what in Sookshmadarshini?

The film features a stellar ensemble cast with Nazriya Nazim as Priyadarshini and Basil Joseph as Manuel in the lead roles. Deepak Parambol plays Antony, Sidharth Bharathan portrays Dr. John, and Kottayam Ramesh takes on the role of Roy. Other notable performances include Manohari Joy as Gracy (Ammachi), Akhila Bhargavan as Sulu, Pooja Mohanraj as Asma, Merin Philip as Stephy, and Hezzah Mehak (Malootty) as Kani. 

Gopan Mangat appears as Krishnettan, Jaya Kurup as Sarojini, Rini Udayakumar as Sicily, James as Thomas, Noushad Ali as Ajmal, Aparna Ram as Diana, and Saraswathi Menon as Aditi.

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17:14 IST, November 23rd 2024