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After years of delays and a lot of expectations, Hari Hara Veera Mallu, starring Pawan Kalyan, finally hits theatres. Directed by Krish Jagarlamudi (with A. M. Jyothi Krishna completing the later portions), this period action-adventure tries to blend myth, rebellion, and heist — but ends up somewhere in the middle. In short, this is my review for Hari Hara Veera Mallu. No spoiler detailed review ahead.
Pawan Kalyan & Nidhi Agerwal during HHVM Promotions
First Half: A Glimpse of Promise
For those searching for a quick Hari Hara Veera Mallu plot summary — the film is about Veera Mallu, a Robin Hood-like figure tasked with stealing the Koh-i-Noor diamond from Mughal emperor Aurangzeb. Sounds exciting, right? And for the first half, it is.
The first half carries the stamp of Krish Jagarlamudi’s storytelling. There’s decent world-building, with grand sets like the Kollur kingdom and Machilipatnam port. The Charminar fight sequence and other action set pieces hold up. MM Keeravani’s background score lifts several scenes, adding emotional weight even when the story itself takes its time to kick in.
Fans around me cheered ( even me 😉 ). There’s some pace, some mass moments and a lot of whistles— it works just enough.
Second Half: Where the Wheels Come Off
This is where the trouble begins — especially for those expecting consistent storytelling or strong visuals.
The VFX issues in Hari Hara Veera Mallu are hard to ignore. From visible green screens (even in hair strands!) to horse chases that look straight out of an old PC game — it’s rough. You can feel the change in direction too. The second half clearly shifts gears under A. M. Jyothi Krishna’s handling, and the patchwork shows.
The film begins to drag. Scenes feel like filler. Important dialogues feel rushed or oddly dubbed. Zero emotional pull. It’s mostly missing the aura of the first half.
HHVM movie Poster
Characters & TechnicalsReview: HHVM
Pawan Kalyan’s new movie is carried by… well, Pawan Kalyan. His screen presence does a lot of heavy lifting, even when the material is uneven.
Bobby Deol is strong in his limited screen time. But a lot more is saved for Part 2.
Nidhhi Agerwal’s Panchami starts off promising with her adorable screen presence, but fades into the background.
Cinematography by Gnana Sekhar VS and Manoj Paramahamsa adds period texture, especially in the first half. But again, the visual effects drag it down.
MM Keeravani’s score is one of the film’s consistent strengths, especially during action sequences.
Final Thoughts
If you’re a Pawan Kalyan fan, this film has moments. If you’re looking for a tight period action film with emotional depth, this won’t fully satisfy.Despite its strong cast and bold ambition, Hari Hara Veera Mallu ends up as a scattered epic — visually grand in parts, but emotionally underwhelming. And no, it didn’t really need a Part 2 for this pacing.
The best thing about Kerala Crime Files Season 2, written by Bahul Ramesh and directed by Ahammed Khabeer, is its subtle treatment. This blog breaks down the Kerala Crime Files Season 2 ending scene by scene and explains the climax sequence and the true motive behind Ambili’s missing case.
Unlike most detective thrillers that follow the clichéd template of a long lecture at the end by the detective (which often makes you feel like watching only the climax would’ve been enough), this series does the opposite. Watching just the final episode won’t help you understand the story or solution.
⚠️ If you haven’t seen the web series yet, please don’t continue reading.
Ambili is a CPO at a Trivandrum local station. He is a shady, corrupted police officer, but people respect him—mainly because he doesn’t accept bribes directly. Instead, he involves and supports criminals to avoid larger chaos. This is established in an early scene where he’s escorting an accused to court. The accused keeps abusing him on the way, but Ambili remains silent. Minutes later, a few goons enter the bus and assault the accused—showing Ambili’s quiet power.
Even Ambili paid the restaurant bill, showing his character integrity.
Indrans as CPO Ambili (Episode 1, character establishment scene)
Ayyappan is a thief who loves animals. In the past, he met Ambili, who helped clear his charges and got him a job at a government dog shelter. Ambili even made him marry his own ex-wife.
But Ambili is a dominant personality. Though he helps people, he keeps them indebted. Ayyappan eventually realises this, and he even says that Ambili treats him like a chained dog—only unchaining him when he needs something done.
The Crime That Triggered It All
Ayyappan once mediated a quarrel between Mithilaj and Aji over a quarry issue. Mithilaj felt betrayed in the compromise. Seeing this, to compensate for that, Ambili connected him with two criminals from Kasaragod for a forgery attempt in Bengaluru.
Mithilaj explaining to CI KUrian (Lal)
When Bengaluru police began their investigation, they traced the crime back to Kasaragod and arrested the two. They revealed Ambili’s and Mithilaj’s names. Now Ambili was trapped. The Bengaluru police demanded a ₹20 lakh bribe to remove their names from the records.
Ambili turned to Ayyappan for help.
The Dog, the Ring, and Jaismon’s Trauma
If you’re wondering who killed Ambili in Kerala Crime Files Season 2 and why the climax felt ambiguous, here’s a detailed scene-by-scene explanation.
Jaismon, the antagonist, appears properly only in episodes 1 and 6. In the rest, we see his childhood snippets.
Jaismon’s childhood
Jaismon’s father, a mentally unstable petty thief, was also an animal lover. He once brought home a black dog—this dog is shown in Jaismon’s childhood flashbacks. Jaismon formed a deep bond with it. In one instance, when his father was bitten by a snake and no one dared go near him, it was the dog that stayed by his side as he died. This emotional imprint shaped Jaismon’s attachment to dogs.
Jaismon’s pet dog
Years later, Jaismon becomes a dog trainer. In one episode, we see his dog, Terry, suffering from Alzheimer’s and cognitive decline. During a museum inspection related to a robbery, Terry goes out of control, bites Jaismon, and accidentally swallows a pin and an antique ring.
Terry englufing a pin from the museum
The vet, suspicious, takes an X-ray and finds something odd alongside the pin. She checks the museum’s CCTV footage and begins to piece things together. Ayyappan, now working as the vet’s driver, assists her.
X Ray showing pin & ring
The vet decides not to operate due to the risk, leaving the ring inside Terry. But Ayyappan learns about the ring from the Vet doctor and informs Ambili.
What Was Ambili’s and Ayyappan’s Plan?
Ayyappan had already informed Ambili about Terry swallowing the ring. That’s why, in a key scene, when Ayyappan asks Ambili, “What should we do now?” Ambili responds, “You told me about it yourself.”It clearly shows that Ambili had already connected the dots and was counting on Ayyappan to do the job.
When Ayyappan mentions, “I have to go to Thrissur tomorrow,” Ambili immediately replies, “Exactly. Thrissur (Dog shelter) is where we need to do it.” — referring to the plan of killing Terry and retrieving the ring.
However, there’s a shift in Ayyappan’s tone. During their argument, Ayyappan says that everything he has done until now was out of will, but this time, he can’t — because he loves dogs.
This emotional hesitation is not random. Earlier, the director had already established Ayyappan’s bond with the animals in a sequence where he’s seen feeding dogs with visible affection and care.
The Betrayal
Desperate for the money, Ambili forces Ayyappan to kill the dog and retrieve the ring. Meanwhile, Jaismon gets approval to adopt Terry from the dog shelter. But the night before the adoption, Ayyappan kills the dog and takes the ring.
To cover it up, the authorities quietly bury the dog, listing it as a natural death. However, the vet reveals the truth to Jaismon.
Jaismon decides to take revenge.
The Disappearance and the Clues
Episode 6 opens with Aju Varghese (SI Manoj) narrating what happened next. Ayyappan sells the ring in Coimbatore and collects the money. On his way back to Kerala, he goes missing.
In Episode 1, Ambili’s visit to Kottarakara
Ambili’s cybercell friend reveals that Ayyappan’s phone was active in Ernakulam between the 19th and 21st. On the morning of the 21st, the number was traced in Trivandrum—exactly when Ambili was there. Later that day, both Ambili and the phone signal moved to Kottarakkara, where Ambili had gone to escort an accused to court. After returning to Trivandrum, the phone’s location also shifted back. This matching travel pattern suggests that the kidnapper was closely tailing Ambili.
Ayyappan likely revealed Ambili’s name under pressure. Jaismon, posing as a friend of Ayyappan, might have handed over the money to Ambili to make the revenge plan believable. Ambili then passed the money to the Karnataka police, and that’s the same money recovered by Aju Varghese later during a patrol.
And from the Karnataka Police, Aju Varghese unveiled the motive behind Ambili and Ayyappan.
The Shocking Truth
Jaismon killed both Ayyappan and Ambili and fed their bodies to stray dogs near Central Stadium. The case takes a turn when a dog vomits a human finger, leading the police to investigate the area.
This is foreshadowed in Episode 5, where Aju Varghese casually mentions to CI Kurian about cases where bodies were disposed of by feeding them to dogs.
DNA testing confirms that the flesh and blood samples belong to Ayyappan and Ambili.
From the vet doctor’s & Jeo Baby (Dog shelter in-charge) confession, police identified the missing piece, why Jaismon killed Ambili and Ayyappan.
Why Didn’t the Doctor Report the Ring to the Authorities After Her Research?
This is a common doubt, but the show actually addresses it subtly.
When CI Kurian (played by Lal) asks her about it, the vet clearly explains her reasoning. Her priority was the well-being of the dog, Terry. The dog was already in a fragile state, and performing surgery in that condition could have been life-threatening.
She feared that any official report might lead to the government approving euthanasia for the dog, considering its health and aggression issues. So, she chose silence — not out of negligence, but out of compassion.
Also, it’s important to clarify that neither Ayyappan nor Ambili were involved in the museum robbery itself. That incident was carried out by a Bihari gang.
Kerala Crime Files S2 Climax Explained
When the police reach Jaismon’s home, we can see that the power is gone; then they find him hanging from a ceiling fan, and the fan is static. It looks like suicide. But when the power returns, the fan starts rotating, revealing the body is still warm, and he could be alive.
SI Noble acts quickly and saves Jaismon.
Lacking solid evidence, the police later planted evidence at Jaismon’s home to close the case.
In the final moments, while police bring Jaismon to the stadium for evidence validation, the same stray dogs from the stadium area runs to him and shows clear affection. It’s a quiet but powerful visual cue—subtly confirming that Jaismon was indeed present there and had fed the bodies to the dogs. A show-don’t-tell approach, but enough to close the loop for attentive viewers.
After watching Season 1 of Kerala Crime Files, I wrote, “Written poor, but executed well.” Season 2 flips that statement. Read the Kerala Crime Files Season 2 review for more, No Major Spoilers ahead.
Trailer Kerala Crime Files Season 2
This time, Bahul Ramesh takes charge of the writing, and similar to Season 1, the story pulls you in from the very first episode. But not through flashy twists or over-the-top reveals—rather, through carefully crafted character layers, subtle cues, and emotional hooks. It’s no longer about “what happens next” but more about “who they are?”
Bahul who previously wrote Kishkindha Kaandam, doesn’t rush to shock you. He builds tension by slowly revealing the people behind the plot. Take Shyju Bhai, the police officer assisting SI Noble. He’s not loud or dramatic—his brilliance lies in small gestures and quiet observations. And it’s exactly this subtlety that makes the show more gripping than many fast-paced thrillers.
If you’ve seen Kishkindha Kaandam, you might’ve noticed—except Aparna Balamurali (who represents the viewer), every character is cryptic, with layers that slowly unfold. Bahul uses the same approach here.
Though it may look like an event-driven thriller on the surface, I found it to be more of a character-driven mystery. That’s rare in Indian web series. What Bahul has done here is borrow the stillness of indie crime films and blend it with procedural drama, adding emotional recall through visual and narrative cues.
CPO Ambili Raju (Indrans) and Ayyappan (Harisree Ashokan), though they don’t get much screen time, leave a lasting impact. Their characters are mysterious, quiet, and reveal themselves gradually with each episode.
Dogs, Details, and a Thematic Echo
If Kishkindha Kaandam used monkeys as a narrative metaphor, here Bahul uses dogs. They aren’t just background elements—they walk silently through every episode, tied to the story, the characters, and the trauma. There’s a murder, an investigation, and a childhood memory—all connected to a dog. Every thread feels intentional.
The way Bahul uses this thematic echo—repeating visuals of dogs, loyalty, bonds, and betrayal—to create emotional undercurrents is brilliant. It reminded me of The Banshees of Inisherin, where animals act as emotional mirrors. It also brought to mind Parinamam by M.P. Narayana Pillai, where dogs are used throughout the novel in a similar metaphorical way. I wouldn’t be surprised if Bahul has read that novel.
Another detail I appreciated: whenever a viewer might develop a doubt, the next scene often features a character voicing that very same question. It’s thoughtful writing that respects the intelligence of its audience.
Same Frame, Better Picture
Despite the change in writers, the overall structure of Season 2 mirrors that of Season 1: a murder, an investigation, and a reveal in the final episode.
Cast: Kerala Crime Files Season 2
In terms of execution, the framework isn’t radically different if you’re a fan of thrillers. Past and present intercut, truth revealed at the end—a Memento-style approach is present here, like Mystic River or our own Malayalam thriller Memories, where a past trauma anchors a current crime mystery.
Instead of revealing everything linearly, the plot is broken into modules—glimpses of childhood, the current investigation, and side character arcs (like Ayyappan, Ambili, and a few other characters). Each piece seems unrelated until the final episode, where they all snap together.
In Season 1, I felt the villain’s motive lacked depth. Here, the antagonist’s motive is much stronger, rooted in emotion and personal pain. By Episode 5, seasoned viewers might start solving the “why” and “how.” Episode 6 completes the puzzle by revealing the “who.”
Abdul Wahab’s music plays gently in the background but rises at the right moments—it complements the scenes rather than dominating them. Jithin Stanislaus’ cinematography, especially in the night sequences, adds mood and shadow to the mystery.
As for performances, Indrans and Harisree Ashokan deliver some of their best, despite their limited screen time. Aju Varghese and Lal maintain the same chemistry and tone from Season 1, adding consistency to the evolving story. Together, the team elevates this season beyond expectations.
Final Verdict
Kerala Crime Files Season 2is still a slow burn, but this time, the fire feels intentional. The emotional weight is stronger. The characters are deeper. The motive is real. And the writing? It finally respects the audience.
What are the OTT releases this week? With so many releases across platforms, unfortunately, I couldn’t find many great options for you this week, since most releases are average; if you have time, try Ponman (Malayalam) or Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai (Tamil) Why I Pick That; scroll down to read more.
March 15, 2025 OTT Releases
Ponman (2025): A Gritty Drama That Goes Beyond the Gold
This is not just another film about dowry; Ponman doesn’t preach; it shows; it makes you feel the pain; finally, it’s your judgement, not the writer’s.
Gold dealer Ajesh lends gold for a village wedding in Kollam. However, the reluctant bride, Steffi, is not ready to return the gold after the marriage. The story takes a tragic turn when Mariano (Sajin Gopu), her husband, confronts Ajesh.
❤️ Basil Joseph shines —far from his comfort zone ❤️ A realistic, layered take on dowry, without cliché melodrama or preachiness ❤️ Well-written screenplay with gripping moments set in unexpected places ❌ A slow-burn that demands patience
My Opinion: Ponman doesn’t just criticise a system—it immerses you in it, making you see its victims and perpetrators as flawed, complex individuals. A smartly written, must watch film, considering the impact it is worth more than just its weight in gold.
Ramam Raghavam (2025): A Gritty Tale of Family, Betrayal & Redemption
📺 Streaming on: Sun NXT 🎬 Director: Dhanraj Koranani ⭐ Cast: Dhanraj Koranani, Samuthirakani, Satya, Pramodini, Harish Uthaman, Sunil, Mokksha
Plot & Highlights
Raghava (Dhanraj Koranani) is stuck in life, making one bad decision after another. His father, Ramam (Samuthirakani), tries to guide him, but the gap between them only grows. One day, Raghava does something shocking, changing everything. From there, the film becomes a tense battle of emotions and consequences.
❤️ A raw, intense family drama that doesn’t sugarcoat emotions ❌ Misses the emotional depth needed to fully connect with Raghava’s journey ❌ Some characters feel underdeveloped, limiting their impact
My Opinion: Ramam Raghavam takes a complex moral dilemma and presents it in a brutal, unfiltered way. While the execution stumbles, the film stays with you—especially in its haunting final act. Can give it a try if you have time.
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai (2025): A Bold Step for Queer Cinema
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai isn’t just about love; it’s about how society decides who deserves it.
When Sam (Lijomol Jose) reveals she is in love with Nandhini (Anusha Prabhu), her mother Lakshmi (Rohini) and father Devaraj (Vineeth) struggle to accept it. The film focuses on their hypocrisy, their contradictions, and the silent pain of those forced to justify their existence.
❤️ A rare Tamil film that puts queer identity at the centre ❤️ Rohini delivers a stunning performance as a mother caught in conflict ❌ Sam and Nandhini’s relationship feels underdeveloped ❌ At times, the film feels more like a debate than a story
My Opinion: Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai is not perfect, but it’s important. It doesn’t just argue—it demands to be heard. A much-needed step for Tamil cinema, even if it leaves you wishing for a deeper, more personal look at its queer leads.
2K Love Story (2025): A Forced Take on Friendship That Lacks Heart
📺 Streaming on: Aha Tamil 🎬 Director: Suseenthiran ⭐ Cast: Meenakshi Govindarajan, Jagaveer, Bala Saravanan
2k Love Story Trailer
Plot & Highlights
Can a man and a woman just be friends? 2K Love Story sets out to prove they can, but instead of exploring their bond naturally, it forces the message with clichés and weak storytelling.
Karthik (Jagaveer) and Moni (Meenakshi Govindarajan) run a wedding planning business together. Despite being constantly thrown into situations where love could bloom, they stick to their “friends forever” pact. But when a new person enters their lives, their friendship faces the ultimate test.
❤️ A refreshing idea that challenges relationship stereotypes ❌ Tries too hard to be progressive, but lacks emotional depth ❌ Tonally confused—part love triangle, part comedy, but never compelling ❌ Shallow character development makes it hard to care about their struggles
My Opinion: 2K Love Story wants to be different but ends up feeling staged and empty. Friendship deserves a better story, one with real emotions—not just a forced message.
Emergency (2025): A Selective Retelling of History
Kangana Ranaut plays Indira Gandhi, recreating the events surrounding the 1975 Emergency. While the film captures key moments—the power struggle, the political arrests, and the press censorship—it often feels like a highlight reel rather than a layered exploration. Indira’s strengths are downplayed, her insecurities exaggerated, and her adversaries glorified, creating an uneven narrative.
❤️ Kangana delivers a powerful performance, capturing Indira’s intensity ❤️ Cinematography and music elevates the storytelling ❌ More a political statement than a balanced biopic ❌ Key historical events feel oversimplified or conveniently left out ❌ Fails to provide a nuanced take on Indira’s political journey
My Opinion: Emergency is ambitious but one-sided. While Kangana shines as Indira, the film picks and chooses its facts to fit a narrative rather than offering an honest portrayal. Watch it for the performances, but don’t expect the full picture.
Vanvaas (2025): Nana Patekar Shines in a Predictable Tearjerker
A familiar story of an aging father abandoned by his children, Vanvaas follows Deepak Tyagi (Nana Patekar), a man battling memory loss and betrayal. Left alone in Varanasi, he finds an unlikely ally in Veeru (Utkarsh Sharma), a small-time crook with a heart of gold.
The film sticks to the Baghban-style formula, where the noble parent suffers, the children are heartless, and the saviour arrives in the form of a selfless outsider. While it tugs at the emotions, the storytelling feels outdated and exaggerated.
❤️ Moments of poetic monologues add emotional weight ❤️ Visually rich with glimpses of Varanasi’s culture ❌ Predictable, melodramatic, and overly theatrical ❌ Utkarsh Sharma struggles to match Nana Patekar’s intensity ❌ One-dimensional characters with little depth
My Opinion: Vanvaas is powered by Nana Patekar’s presence, but the film itself feels like a relic of the past. It has moments of emotion, but the outdated storytelling and forced drama hold it back. Watch it if you love old-school family dramas, but don’t expect surprises.
Moana 2 (2025): A Visual Spectacle, But an Unnecessary Voyage
📺 Streaming on: JioHotstar 🎬 Directors: David Derrick Jr., Jason Hand, Dana Ledoux Miller ⭐ Cast: Auliʻi Cravalho, Dwayne Johnson, Hualālai Chung, Rose Matafeo, David Fane
Moana 2 Trailer
Plot & Highlights
Moana is back on the seas, but this time, the waves aren’t as thrilling.
When her ancestors warn her about an ancient storm god’s curse, Moana (Auliʻi Cravalho) sets out on a mission they failed—to reunite the islands and restore balance. Unlike her first solo journey, she’s joined by a crew of fellow islanders, along with the ever-charismatic Maui (Dwayne Johnson).
❤️ Visually stunning, with breathtaking ocean landscapes ❤️ Kakamora pirates steal the show in their brief screen time ❌ Lacks the emotional depth of the first film ❌ Music fails to match the magic of the original soundtrack
My Opinion: Moana 2 is beautiful to look at, but it lacks the soul that made the first film special. While kids might enjoy the adventure, it feels like Disney is just trying to keep the franchise afloat. Not a disaster, but definitely not smooth sailing.
What are the OTT releases this week? With so many releases across platforms, unfortunately, I couldn’t find many great options for you this week, since most releases are average; if you have time, try Rekhachithram (Malayalam), Kudumbasthan (Tamil) or Baapu( Telugu). Why I pick that; scroll down to read more.
OTT Releases 07, March 2025
Rekhachithram (2025): A Smart Thriller That Blends Mystery with Cinema Nostalgia
📺 Streaming on: Sony LIV 🎬 Director: Jofin T Chacko ⭐ Cast: Asif Ali, Anaswara Rajan, Indrans, Saikumar, Manoj K Jayan
Rekhachithram is a gripping investigative thriller. The film follows Vivek Gopinath (Asif Ali), a cop trying to redeem himself, as he investigates a 40-year-old skeleton linked to an 80s film set. As Vivek pieces together clues from a time when technology was limited, the case becomes a thrilling.
❤️ A refreshing take on crime thrillers with a unique premise ❤️ Anaswara Rajan shines as Rekha, adding depth to her character ❤️ A treat for cinephiles with nods to 80s Malayalam cinema
❌ The film’s slow-burn pace may not work for everyone ❌ Manoj K Jayan feels underutilised
My Opinion: Rekhachithram isn’t just a mystery—it’s a love letter to Malayalam cinema.Though it takes its time to build up, the final twist is worth the wait. If you love thrillers with a nostalgic touch, this one is a must-watch!
Kudumbasthan (2025): A Fun Family Comedy with Manikandan’s Winning Touch
📺 Streaming on: ZEE5 🎬 Director: Rajeshwar Kalisamy ⭐ Cast: Manikandan, Guru Somasundaram, Saanve Megghana, R Sundarrajan
Kudumbasthan Trailer
Plot & Highlights
Being the sole breadwinner of a middle-class family is no joke—literally! Kudumbasthan follows Naveen (Manikandan), a newly married man juggling endless financial responsibilities, from funding his mother’s pilgrimage to paying for his wife’s Civil Service exam. Adding to his stress is his brother-in-law Rajendran (Guru Somasundaram), who constantly undermines him. As Kudumbasthan—surviving it is the real challenge.
❤️ Manikandan nails another relatable underdog role ❤️ Hilarious moments keep the film lighthearted and engaging
❌ Some jokes may not work for everyone ❌ The film feels slightly stretched at 155 minutes
My Opinion: Kudumbasthan blends classic family drama with modern humour, making it funny and relatable. Strong performances from Manikandan and Guru Somasundaram keep it engaging. A good watch for those who enjoy heartwarming comedies.
Nadaaniyan (2025): A Glossy but Shallow High-School Rom-Com
📺 Streaming on: Netflix 🎬 Director: Shauna Gautam ⭐ Cast: Ibrahim Ali Khan, Khushi Kapoor, Suniel Shetty, Dia Mirza
Nadaaniyan | Official Trailer
Plot & Highlights
Fake relationships, social class struggles, and high school drama—Nadaaniyan brings them all together in a lighthearted rom-com. Pia (Khushi Kapoor) is a rich girl who needs a boyfriend to keep her friendships intact. Arjun (Ibrahim Ali Khan), a scholarship student with big career dreams, becomes the perfect candidate. But as their fake relationship unfolds, they must navigate class differences, family expectations, and their own changing feelings.
❤️ Khushi Kapoor and Ibrahim Ali Khan bring youthful charm ❤️ Fun, breezy moments make it watchable ❤️ Nods to classic Karan Johar films add nostalgia
❌ A predictable, surface-level story ❌ Social themes feel forced rather than impactful ❌ Characters and settings don’t feel real or relatable
My Opinion: Nadaaniyan is a glossy, high-school rom-com that feels superficial despite its attempts at depth. The lead actors try their best, but the film remains predictable. Skip if you watched movies like Love Today (Tamil) or Perfect Date.
Manamey (2024): A Lighthearted Rom-Com That Plays It Safe
📺 Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video 🎬 Director: Sriram Adittya ⭐ Cast: Sharwanand, Krithi Shetty, Vennela Kishore, Rahul Ravindran
Manamey Trailer
Plot & Highlights
What happens when a carefree man is forced to take responsibility? Manamey follows Vikram (Sharwanand), a happy-go-lucky guy who avoids commitments—until his best friend’s sudden passing leaves him as a temporary guardian for their two-year-old son. Subhadra (Krithi Shetty), a responsible and practical woman, also steps in as the child’s caretaker. As they clash over parenting styles, love slowly blossoms between them.
❤️ Sharwanand shines in a fun, laid-back role ❤️ A few genuinely funny moments keep it entertaining ❤️ Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music adds charm
❌ Predictable story with familiar rom-com tropes ❌ Supporting characters feel underused ❌ Antagonist subplot feels unnecessary and weak
My Opinion: Manamey is a breezy, feel-good rom-com that plays it safe. Sharwanand’s playful performance adds charm, but the film remains predictable. Worth a casual watch, but nothing fresh or surprising.
Thandel (2025): A Beautiful Love Story That Loses Focus in Its Second Half
📺 Streaming on: Netflix 🎬 Director: Chandoo Mondeti ⭐ Cast: Naga Chaitanya, Sai Pallavi, Karunakaran, Divya Pillai
Plot & Highlights
Thandel is about the longing and devotion (melo-drama medium) in a romance shaped by distance. Raju (Naga Chaitanya), a fisherman from Srikakulam, spends most of the year away at sea. Sathya (Sai Pallavi), his love, accepts this way of life with patience and pride. When Raju is caught in a tragic twist of fate and lands in a Pakistani prison, their love is put to the ultimate test.
❤️ Naga Chaitanya deliver heartfelt performances ❤️ Devi Sri Prasad’s music adds emotional depth ❤️ Stunning cinematography captures the vast sea and emotions beautifully
❌ The Pakistan prison subplot lacks depth ❌ Side characters feel underdeveloped ❌ Misses the opportunity to explore the real struggles of the 22 fishermen
My Opinion: Thandel is an average love story but loses its emotional depth when it shifts to the Pakistan prison subplot. The political drama feels rushed, but the romance and music keep it engaging. It works for fans of poetic (chocolate) love stories.
Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal (2025): A Thoughtful, Restrained Family Drama
📺 Streaming on: Amazon Prime Video 🎬 Director: Sharan Venugopal ⭐ Cast: Joju George, Suraj Venjaramood, Alencier Lay Lopez, Garggi Ananthan, Shelly Kishore
Plot & Highlights
When three estranged brothers reunite at their ancestral home as their mother lies on her deathbed, old wounds resurface, and buried conflicts return. Vishwanathan (Alencier Lay Lopez) still carries the weight of past casteist insults, Bhaskar (Suraj Venjaramood) is an outsider in his own home, and Sethu (Joju George) finds himself stuck between them. Meanwhile, the younger generation—Athira (Garggi Ananthan) and Nikhil (Thomas Mathew)—try to make sense of the tensions while dealing with their own unresolved emotions.
❤️ A subtle, character-driven story without melodrama ❤️ Joju George and Garggi Ananthan deliver deeply layered performances ❤️ A realistic portrayal of family conflicts and generational differences
❌ The slow, quiet storytelling may not work for everyone ❌ Lacks big dramatic moments, making it feel subdued
My Opinion: Narayaneente Moonnaanmakkal is a nuanced, slow-burning family drama that avoids melodrama. A worthwhile watch for those who enjoy subtle, character-driven narratives.
Baapu (2025): A Family Drama with Moments of Brilliance but an Uneven Narrative
Set in rural Telangana, Baapu follows a struggling farmer’s family burdened by debt. Mallanna (Brahmaji) and his wife Saroja (Aamani) are trying to make ends meet through cotton farming, while their children battle their own hardships. Meanwhile, a subplot involving a hidden golden idol adds another layer of intrigue.
❤️ Brahmaji delivers a strong lead performance ❤️ Authentic rural setting and black comedy elements work well ❤️ A few engaging moments, especially around the family’s moral dilemma
❌ Predictable and lacks depth in emotional moments ❌ Romance subplots feel unnecessary and underdeveloped ❌ Feels like a short film stretched into a feature-length movie
My Opinion: Baapu has an interesting premise with its dark comedy and performances. However, weak character arcs and a predictable story hold it back. Watch it for the performances, but don’t expect a deeply engaging family drama.
Directed by Jithu Ashraf, Officer On Duty is built on writer Shahi Kabir’s signature investigative thriller framework. If you’ve seen Joseph or Ela Veezha Poonchira, you know what to expect—meticulously crafted police procedural scenes, morally grey officers, and layered storytelling. That was my only reason for watching Officer On Duty, hoping for another gripping police procedural. But this time, there’s a shift.
OFFICER on Duty Title Card
No Nonsense, Straight to the Case
As expected, there’s no unnecessary drama. Within five minutes, the film is on track. It kicks off with a chilling prologue before shifting to the introduction of CI Harishankar (Kunchacko Boban). I have to appreciate Kunchacko for approving an intro scene where his character harasses a pregnant woman—not something most stars would dare to do. Mollywood continues to stand apart in its willingness to portray morally grey characters, even with leading actors.
The story follows DYSP Harishankar, who is demoted to CI after physically assaulting his senior officer. He’s battling psychological trauma, and on his first day as CI, he gets assigned a counterfeit gold case. But this small case unexpectedly leads him to something much bigger—something connected to his own past. The way Shahi Kabir sets up these connections using the plant and payoff technique is brilliant.
First Half – Packed with Suspense & Character Depth
A major strength of the first half is how it establishes Harishankar’s character. We get to see his shades—his flaws, his aggression, and his vulnerabilities. Sure, there are a few unnecessary moments like Muthumani’s ‘chocolate hero’ commentary or Priyamani’s repetitive domestic scenes, but overall, the first half keeps us engaged, slowly building curiosity for what’s next. Foreshadowing in the writing plays a big role in keeping us hooked.
Second Half – Too Much Drama, Too Many Compromises
Shahi Kabir has a pattern. His second halves usually shift into family drama or emotional conflicts (Joseph, Ela Veezha Poonchira). So, I was expecting that. But in Officer On Duty, the shift felt too drastic. There’s a lot of cinematic drama, and while that might help at the box office, it also dilutes the soul of the film.
The biggest issue? Character inconsistency. Harishankar in the first half and Harishankar in the second half feel like two different people. It’s as if the film forgets its grounded realism and switches into a supercop action thriller. Thankfully, Kunchacko Boban’s performance smooths over some of the rough edges. He carries the weight of the transformation with conviction, but it’s still hard to ignore how much the tone changes.
Repetitive Writing –Fridging and the Same Old Cop Tropes
I have to ask—why are writers so obsessed with ‘fridging’ female characters in investigative thrillers? The idea that a woman must suffer to motivate the hero is overused and outdated. And why is every troubled police officer a failed family man dealing with a divorce? We’ve seen this formula so many times—an emotionally broken cop, a family crisis, and in the end, a personal stake in the case. It’s predictable if you watch thrillers often.
Officer On Duty Trailer
What Worked – Technical Brilliance & Performances
If Kunchacko Boban is the emotional anchor of the film, Jakes Bejoy is the soul. His background score elevates the tension and keeps the narrative gripping. In fact, it was Bejoy and Kunchacko who made this film worth watching for me, not the screenplay.
Kunchacko, as Harishankar, is completely convincing. His haunted eyes, his rough exterior, and the visible trauma in his body language make the character believable. He put in the effort, and it shows.
Kunchako Boban CI Harishankar
Technically, the film shines. Roby Varghese Raj’s cinematography and Chaman Chacko’s editing set the perfect dark, intense tone. The action sequences are well-executed, especially considering the film’s production scale. The mortuary fight and climax sequences were particularly well-shot, making the brutality feel raw but not excessive.
Final Opinion – From ‘What’s Next?’ to ‘Here We Go Again’
Officer On Duty starts off as an exciting investigative thriller, making us wonder, “What’s next?” But by the end, it turns into a supercop action film, filled with predictable twists, overused tropes, and cinematic hero moments for the whistles and cheers.
Does it deserve to be a super-hit? Yes. Does it work as a solid thriller? Not for me. I had high expectations from Shahi Kabir, but this time, it felt like he chose commercial appeal over storytelling depth.
Watch it for Kunchacko Boban and Jakes Bejoy. Just lower your expectations if you’re looking for a realistic thriller.
Directed by Arun D Jose, Bromance follows his familiar formula of making youth-centric films, as seen in Jo & Jo and 18+. Here there is a slight shift.
How do you make a comedy film? There are many ways, but in Malayalam cinema, the popular ones are Priyadarshan-style slapstick, dark humour, everyday observational comedy like Premalu, or deadpan delivery, where the humour comes from an actor’s serious and emotionless reactions—like Biju Menon’s humour characters.
Bromance Movie Title Card
Written by Thomas P. Sebastian and Raveesh Nath, Bromance (2025) tries to blend all these styles here and there. But does it work? Only in the second half.
A Cliché Bromance Setup with a Predictable Plot
The movie begins with a cliche Setup. The elder brother, Shinto, is the responsible one, while the younger brother, Binto, is the reckless slacker. As expected, Shinto takes care of Binto, even funding his rave parties.
Then comes The Inciting Incident—Shinto goes missing. This leads to the introduction of characters from Shinto’s world: his ex-girlfriend (Mahima Nambiar), his best friend (Arjun Ashokan), a rowdy (Kalabhavan Shajon), and an ethical hacker (Sangeeth Prathap).
The rest of the movie is about how this mismatched gang tries to solve the case.
Weak Emotional Depth and Character Motivations
The writers attempt to create comedy through contrast—placing Arjun Ashokan’s calm, timid character alongside Mathew’s hot-headed young man. But it doesn’t work.
Over-the-top humour isn’t everyone’s cup of tea, and it’s tough to pull off. When we see Manavalan or Dasamoolam Dhamu, we don’t think about logic—we just enjoy the humour because their caricatured personalities are established from the beginning. Here, when Mathew and Sangeeth Prathap go over the top, it feels annoying, clichéd, or like forced cringe comedy.
Another issue is the forced emotional beats. The bond between the brothers isn’t developed organically. Some scenes, like a social media bullying victim taking revenge and saying, “I will share this video with my daughter,” felt completely out of place.
The way the team comes together for the mission also feels unconvincing—why are they all risking it? The writing could have been sharper, with better confrontations to make this an exciting screwball comedy thriller. Instead, it ends up feeling like a missed opportunity. Some side characters also feel force-fitted into the story.
Does that mean the film isn’t entertaining? A big No!!!
Second Half Brings the Laughs
Despite all the friction in the first half, the second half is decent. There are genuinely funny moments, especially with Arjun Ashokan, Mahima Nambiar, and Kalabhavan Shajon. They bring energy, presence, and great comic timing.
Since the climax and story are predictable, what surprised me was Arjun Ashokan’s over-the-top performance in the second half.
After Romancham, he proves once again that he can handle humour as well as serious roles—he is a perfect actor to create comedic incongruity. I hope more directors explore this side of him. Similarly, Kalabhavan Shajon’s one-liners and Mahima’s screen presence made the second half more enjoyable.
Bromance Movie Poster
Cinematography & Music: Stylish And Matches the Vibe
Cinematographer Akhil George does a decent job in maintaining the vibrant, youthful visual style, it helped us matching the vibe. The night scenes and party sequences are well-shot, adding a stylish touch, and elevated the film beyond its script’s limitations.
Music by Govind Vasantha follows a familiar template—while it complements the film’s mood, there are no memorable tracks that stand out. The background score does help in setting the comedic tone, but it lacks freshness.
Bromance had the potential to be a great comedy thriller but ends up being just an okay entertainer.
The humour is hit-or-miss, the writing could have been tighter, and some characters feel unnecessary. However, if you can sit through the uneven first half, the second half has enough fun moments to make it worth a watch.
Which are the OTT releases this week? With so many releases across platforms, here are 3 picks that I think are worth checking out. Family (Malyalam), Amaran and Lightshop are my suggestions. Why I pick those; scroll down to read more.
Satya (Alia Bhatt) is an orphan fighting against time to save her brother Ankur (Vedang Raina) from a wrongful death sentence in a foreign prison. She teams up with a retired gangster (Manoj Pahwa) and an ex-cop (Rahul Ravindran) for a high-stakes jailbreak.
❤️ Alia Bhatt shines in a fierce and emotional role. ❌ Complicated storytelling with overlapping perspectives weakens the impact. ❌ Overblown climax overshadows moments of quiet brilliance.
Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video: Some Laugh Here and There
Plot & Review: Vicky Vidya Ka Voh Wala Video (2024)
Set in 1997, the film follows Vicky (Rajkummar Rao) and Vidya (Triptii Dimri) as their ‘voh wala video’ from their first night goes missing, triggering chaos.
❤️ Rajkummar Rao brings his signature charm to a familiar small-town character. ❌ Sluggish writing and outdated jokes fail to deliver consistent laughs. ❌ Wasted performances by a talented supporting cast, including Vijay Raaz and Mallika Sherawat.
Set between the 50s and 80s, Matka tells the rags-to-riches story of Vasu (Varun Tej). Starting from juvenile prison, Vasu’s journey involves underground fights, criminal schemes, and national-level scandals, culminating in a confrontation with the system.
❤️ Authentic period details in sets, costumes, and music elevate the experience. ❌ The narrative feels rushed, sidelining key characters and the titular gambling theme. ❌ Predictable arcs and repetitive storytelling reduce emotional engagement.
While Matka has its moments of mass and rage, overall it struggles to deliver a compelling and cohesive tale of gambling and power.
Amaran showing us the life of Major Mukund Varadarajan (Sivakarthikeyan), balancing his journey as a soldier with a romantic storyline involving Indhu (Sai Pallavi).
❤️ Sivakarthikeyan delivers one of his career-best performances with restraint and depth. ❤️ A thoughtful narrative avoids jingoism, focusing on the sacrifices of soldiers and their families. ❌ Sai Pallavi’s accent occasionally detracts from her otherwise stellar portrayal.
With a decent screenplay, awesome performances, and GV Prakash’s evocative score, Amaran beautifully honours the unsung heroes and their families.
Light Shop: A Supernatural Mystery Worth Your Attention
Platform: Disney+ Hotstar Director: Kim Hiewon Cast: Ju Jihoon, Park Boyoung, Bae Seongwoo, Lee Jungeun, Kim Minha
Plot & Review: Light Shop (2024)
Set in a dark, mysterious neighbourhood, Light Shop follows six strangers struggling with traumatic pasts who stumble upon a glowing shop offering answers to their lives’ mysteries. With intertwined stories and a chilling atmosphere, the series explores life, death, and redemption.
❤️ The world-building and haunting visuals immerse viewers in the mysterious setting. ❤️ Park Boyoung delivers an emotional performance as a nurse grappling with her near-death experience. ❌ Multiple storylines may feel overwhelming without close attention.
With its mind-bending narrative and haunting visuals, Light Shop demands full focus but rewards viewers with suspense, emotion, and intrigue. A must-watch for fans of supernatural mysteries.
Sir: A Cliched Script With Some Highs
Platform: Aha Director: Bose Venkat Cast: Vemal, Saravanan, Chaya Devi
Plot & Review: Sir (2024)
Set in the 1980s, Sir follows Sivanyanam (Vemal) as he inherits his family’s mission to uplift a rural village through education. Battling caste oppression, superstitions, and societal resistance, he must overcome his own indifference to fulfill his father’s dream of turning their school into a higher secondary institution.
❤️ Vemal delivers a balanced performance, excelling in both light-hearted and serious moments. ❌ Repetitive storytelling and dated execution dilute the impact. ❌ Overstretched runtime and heavy-handed symbolism feel excessive.
While Sir has noble intentions but predictable narrative make it more of a lecture than a compelling drama.
Murphy: A Time-Travel Drama That Struggles to Connect
Murphy revolves around David (Prabhu Mundkur), who communicates with Janani (Roshini Prakash) from the past through a mysterious Murphy radio. The radio, tied to the tragic death of David’s father, stirs conflicts in his relationship with his grandfather Richie (Dattanna) while exploring themes of loss and love across timelines.
❤️ A fresh premise blending time travel with emotional storytelling rather than a cliched thriller narrative style. ❤️ Strong performances by Roshini Prakash and Prabhu Mundkur elevate the narrative. ❌ Weakly developed relationships and rushed subplots limit emotional impact.
While Murphy offers intriguing moments and quality performances, its lack of emotional depth holds it back from becoming a standout in the time-travel genre.
Family: A Subtle Narration That Questions Society
Platform: ManoramaMax Director: Don Palathara Cast: Vinay Forrt, Divya Prabha, Nilja K Baby, Mathew Thomas
Plot & Review: Family (2024)
Sony (Vinay Forrt), a well-regarded teacher in a conservative Christian village, is a seemingly upright figure protected by his family and community. Through a series of events, the film peels back layers to reveal unsettling truths about family dynamics and societal complicity.
❤️ Vinay Forrt delivers a nuanced performance, balancing the character’s deceptive warmth and underlying menace. ❤️ The metaphorical subplot involving a tiger cleverly mirrors the protagonist’s duality. ❌ Side characters, while believable, are underdeveloped with minimal screen time.
Family is a thought-provoking film that critiques societal and familial constructs. Worth watching for its layered storytelling and eerie undertones.
The story revolves around Priya, a microbiologist living happily with her husband and child. One day, her neighbour Manuel returns to his hometown with his mother, and from the very beginning, Priya senses something odd about him. The movie follows Priya’s observations and findings as she tries to uncover the mystery surrounding Manuel and his actions.
Trailer Sookshmadarshini
Sookshmadarshini sets out to be a compelling thriller, focusing on the “what” and “why” rather than the typical “whodunnit.” However, the lack of emotional depth and character development undermines its potential, leaving it a missed opportunity in the genre.
Priya’s Motivation: A Missed Opportunity for Emotional Depth
Priya’s skepticism toward her neighbour is established, but the why behind it isn’t developed well. She goes to extremes to uncover the truth, but the film struggles to make her motivations compelling. This disconnect diminishes the audience’s emotional engagement with her investigation.
In Manhattan Murder Mystery, Carol (played by Diane Keaton) is a housewife who becomes suspicious of her neighbour after the sudden death of his wife. The film builds Carol’s character through her curiosity, natural charm, and relentless energy.
Diane Keaton as Carol
Carol’s amateur sleuthing feels authentic because the narrative gives her relatable motivations: she’s bored with her life and eager to prove her intuition is right.
Another good example is character Anna Fox from The Woman in the Window (2021), the protagonist, is an agoraphobic psychologist who becomes obsessed with the lives of her neighbours. Anna’s character is layered: her psychological struggles, unreliable narration, and tragic backstory make her a flawed but relatable protagonist. The audience doesn’t just follow her investigation—they understand her pain and inner conflict, which adds emotional weight to her discoveries.
Writers should have added some emotional layers to Priya, like Anna’s struggles in The Woman in the Window, to create a stronger connection with the audience.
The Art of Distraction: Sookshmadarshini
Every mystery thriller works well when its distractions are crafted effectively. Writers often sprinkle events or characters to divert the audience’s attention from the actual clues. Take Kishkinda Kaandam as an example: the Maoism, the jungle, and Jagadeesh’s character—all serve as distractions. However, a clever writer always leaves the right hints, so when the truth is revealed, the audience can connect the dots they initially missed. That’s where the brilliance of a thriller writer truly shines.
Title Card: Sookshmadarshini
In Sookshmadarshini, the writers incorporated distractions and left clues for the audience. But by the end, you might wonder:was all this necessary? Was it exaggerated? The climax feels like a forced attempt to deliver a twist, making the payoff less satisfying.
A little more research could have made it better. For example, do you get notifications on Instagram when a random person (someone who doesn’t follow you or whom you don’t follow) sends you a message? I believe it mostly goes to message requests. That’s where the writers were in a rush to close the loop.
Casting and Tone Issues: Sookshmadarshini
While Basil does a commendable job portraying Manuel’s suspicious behaviour, his inherent charm works against the narrative. The audience doesn’t naturally hate or distrust him as they should.
Nightcrawler TRAILER
In contrast, performances like Jake Gyllenhaal’s eerie and unsettling portrayal of Louis Bloom in Nightcrawler (2014) or Vineeth Sreenivasan’s morally ambiguous Adv. Mukundan Unni in Mukundan Unni Associates ensure that the audience feels both repelled and fascinated. A similarly calculated casting choice for Manuel could have significantly amplified the tension.
Additionally, Nazriya is not entirely convincing as Priya—a super-observant, Lady Holmes-like housewife. Her portrayal feels more like her past characters, such as Jeena in Neram or Pooja in Om Shanthi Oshana. This lack of transformation dilutes the experience, especially in a genre where mood and atmosphere are critical.
Take, for example, Sharafudheen. In Bougainvillaea and Hello Mummy, his contrasting performances highlight how an actor can completely transform their mannerisms and attitude, creating a clear distinction between characters.
Even a static shot from either film would showcase the depth of his acting. This kind of immersion helps the audience bond with the character. Unfortunately, Priya’s character in Sookshmadarshini doesn’t achieve this, making it difficult to separate Nazriya’s performance from her previous roles.
Sookshmadarshini: Final Thoughts
Despite its flaws, Sookshmadarshini does manage to deliver a decent final act. The editing, especially in the climax, stands out, with smooth intercuts that effectively build tension and excitement while revealing the mystery. The background score complements these moments well, adding to the suspense.
While the screenplay takes some cinematic liberties, particularly in the second half, it might answer many of your WHY’s by the final twist. The seemingly distracting elements throughout the film make sense when viewed in hindsight, offering a sense of coherence to the overall narrative.
In the end, Sookshmadarshini succeeds in keeping the audience intrigued, even if it stumbles in emotional depth and character development. It’s a decent thriller that might not break new ground but manages to hold attention, especially in its well-executed final moments.
What are the OTT releases, on this Friday (Nov 1, 2024)? With so many releases across platforms, here are 3 picks that I think are worth checking out. Lubber Pandhu, Agathokakological & Sattam En Kayil: are my suggestions. Why I pick those; scroll down to read more.
Lubber Pandhu: A Fresh Take on Cricket and Rivalries
Lubber Pandhu dives into the world of rubber-ball cricket in small-town Tamil Nadu, where Anbu (Harish Kalyan), a talented bowler, meets Gethu (Attakathi Dinesh), a highly respected batsman. Their rivalry on the field quickly extends into personal life when Anbu’s relationship with Gethu’s daughter, Durga (Sanjana Krishnamoorthy), is revealed. The film explores the ego-fueled rivalry between Anbu and Gethu, both players who are passionate about cricket and loyal to their friends and family.
As the story unfolds, we see how their conflicts also bring in themes of caste and family struggles. Interestingly, the women, including Gethu’s wife Yashoda (Swasika), emerge as the voices of reason, balancing the impulsive nature of their male counterparts.
Highlights
❤️ The film brings a fresh look at caste issues, weaving them into the story in a subtle yet powerful way.
❤️ The cricket scenes are exciting and feel authentic, with details like star-player songs and quirky cricket rituals adding charm.
❌ Some parts, like a forced empowerment angle, feel a bit out of place.
Lubber Pandhu is a feel-good sports drama with a unique twist, blending family rivalry, romance, and cricket. If you love sports films with heart, stream it on Disney+ Hotstar now!
Agathokakological: A Crime Thriller with Mixed Results
Platform: Manorama Max Director: Venkatesh CD Cast: Leona Lishoy, Prashant Murali, Maqbool Salman, Vasudevan Unni
Plot Synopsis: Agathokakological
Agathokakological tells the story of Nisha (Leona Lishoy), an architect who lives peacefully with her husband Vineeth (Prashant Murali) and son. Her life takes a dark turn when she receives a threatening call from a stranger who knows a hidden secret from her past. As she starts seeing the blackmailer around, Nisha’s husband decides to report the case to the police, leading Sub Inspector Ajith (Maqbool Salman) to take on the investigation. With each twist, secrets from Nisha’s past and present come to light, connecting the pieces of a dark mystery.
Highlights: Agathokakological
❤️ Leona Lishoy shines in her role, delivering a powerful performance that adds depth to her character’s journey. ❤️ Maqbool Salman impresses as the intense, dedicated cop, adding strength to the film’s emotional undertone. ❌ The story becomes predictable, with twists that lack suspense, leaving thriller fans wanting more. ❌ Weak direction and sluggish pacing reduce the movie’s impact, making some scenes feel unnecessarily stretched.
Viswam: An Outdated Attempt at Action and Comedy
Platform: Amazon Prime Video Director: Sreenu Vaitla Cast: Gopichand, Kavya Thapar, Jishu Sengupta, Sunil, Vennela Kishore
Plot Synopsis: Viswam
Viswam follows Gopi (Gopichand), a fierce and loyal man determined to defend his father’s name, who soon finds himself caught up in a web of terrorism, political schemes, and random comedy. The film starts with a terrorist threat but quickly shifts gears, introducing a flood of subplots involving political corruption, romantic tropes, and slapstick humour. Meanwhile, Gopi forms a romantic connection with Samaira (Kavya Thapar), a stylist with dubious motives who eventually turns good after he saves her.
Amidst the chaos, the terror threat resurfaces only occasionally, adding confusion rather than suspense. The film tries to balance humour, action, and emotion, but the blend falls short, feeling scattered and outdated.
Highlights: Viswam
❤️ Vennela Kishore shines in parts with his comic timing, despite limited support from the script. ❌ Overloaded with subplots, the narrative becomes tedious and difficult to follow. ❌ Predictable character arcs and dated tropes make the movie feel stretched and redundant.
Viswam tries to deliver an entertaining mix but fails to keep the viewer engaged with its meandering storyline and worn-out humour. For those who prefer something fresh, it might be best to skip this one. Now streaming on Amazon Prime Video.
Yudhra:No Thrills, Only Kills
Platform: Amazon Prime Video Director: Ravi Udyawar Cast: Siddhant Chaturvedi, Malavika Mohanan, Gajraj Rao, Ram Kapoor, Raghav Juyal
Plot Synopsis: Yudhra
Yudhra follows a young, battle-ready hero (Siddhant Chaturvedi), shaped by violence from birth. Raised without parents, he grows up fighting anger issues and is trained by his father’s allies, Kartik (Gajraj Rao) and Rahman (Ram Kapoor), to complete his father’s mission. Alongside Rahman’s daughter, Nikhat (Malavika Mohanan), Yudhra sets out to infiltrate a drug cartel led by the ruthless Firoz (Raj Arjun) and his erratic son (Raghav Juyal).
As secrets emerge, Yudhra’s battle intensifies, but the emotional connections fail to resonate.
Highlights: Yudhra
❤️ Siddhant Chaturvedi impresses with his intense performance, bringing both physicality and style to his role. ❌ The story relies heavily on predictable action scenes, lacking suspense and depth. ❌ The romance and emotional elements feel shallow, reducing the impact of the characters’ journey.
Yudhra is a stylish actioner with potential but falls short on emotional depth and originality. If you’re in the mood for action without expecting too much plot, it’s streaming now on Amazon Prime Video (Rent).
Sattam En Kayil: A One-Night Thriller with Unbelievable Twists
Platform: Amazon Prime Video Director: Chachhi Cast: Sathish, Pavel Navageethan, Ajay Raj, Venba, Vidya Pradeep
Plot Synopsis: Sattam En Kayil
In Sattam En Kayil, a suspenseful thriller unfolds over a single foggy night in Yercaud. Gowtham (Sathish), a timid man with a stammer, accidentally kills a motorcyclist and hides the body in his car trunk. When he gets stopped at a police checkpoint, he pretends to be drunk to avoid suspicion.
Things spiral out of control as Gowtham is taken into custody, only to discover that the motorcyclist was already a wanted man. Now he must navigate between two power-hungry cops, Inspector Basha (Pavel Navageethan) and Nagaraj (Ajay Raj), to keep his deadly secret under wraps.
Highlights: Sattam En Kayil
❤️ Sathish impresses as Gowtham, portraying nervousness and gradual confidence with skill. ❤️ Pavel Navageethan and Ajay Raj’s characters bring depth with their intense rivalry, adding excitement to the narrative. ❌ The first half feels slow and somewhat scattered, though the film gains pace in the second half. ❌ Logical flaws, like questionable decisions by Gowtham, weaken the plot’s believability.
In Sattam En Kayil, a strong second half with unexpected twists makes up for a slow start and some predictable elements. If you’re up for a suspense-filled ride, give it a watch on Amazon Prime Video!
