Moppala

Moppala delivers a powerful emotional punch with its story of Devanandan, a boy whose love for the traditional Theyyam art form is crushed by the rigid rules of caste. The narrative is deeply personal, yet the social commentary it makes is universal and timeless. Santhosh Keezhattoor's performance is deeply moving, portraying a grandfather struggling with the shame and helplessness of watching history repeat its cruel patterns. The climax is brilliant - Devanandan walking away, dressed in full Theyyam costume, is one of the most symbolic and emotional moments I've seen in Malayalam cinema this year. I highly recommend this film for its sincerity, cultural richness, and ability to leave a lasting impression.

In Moppala, Santhosh Puthukkunnu confronts one of the most painful questions in Indian society - who decides who is worthy of tradition? The film follows Devanandan, born from an inter-caste marriage, who is passionately drawn to Theyyam but barred from participating in it. The pain is shared by his grandfather, Ambhu Panickar, portrayed beautifully by Santhosh Keezhattoor. This is a film that breathes in rhythm and ritual, but exhales a quiet rebellion. The pacing is meditative, giving weight to every stare, silence, and gesture. Moppala doesn't offer easy answers - it offers difficult truths. An artistic protest against systemic exclusion.

Moppala is more than just a film - it is a rebellion dressed in devotion. In the heart of North Kerala, a boy's dream to embody Theyyam is crushed under casteism, and the story unfolds with grace, intensity, and deep cultural insight. Santhosh Keezhattoor delivers a nuanced performance that echoes long after the credits roll. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu doesn't use force; he uses silence, color, tradition, and performance to drive home a timeless message. The final scene, where Devanandan walks away in full Theyyam attire, is one of Malayalam cinema's most defiant closing moments. Moppala is cinema that doesn't just speak - it chants, dances, and resists.

Santhosh Puthukkunnu's Moppala is a visually rich and emotionally potent film that holds a mirror to the casteist practices that still govern cultural traditions in India. Through the journey of Devanandan, a child of an inter-caste marriage who aspires to perform Theyyam, the film exposes the invisible walls that prevent true inclusion. Santhosh Keezhattoor delivers a compelling performance as Ambhu Panickar, embodying a man torn between social expectations and familial love. The Theyyam sequences are stunning, both aesthetically and symbolically. The screenplay may be slow-paced at times, but it builds to a climactic moment of silent protest that speaks louder than words. Moppala is a courageous film, reverent to tradition yet radical in its intent.

Moppala, directed by Santhosh Puthukkunnu, is a searing cultural drama that interrogates the intersections of caste, legacy, and identity in Kerala. The story follows Devanandan, a boy passionate about Theyyam but excluded from performing it due to his inter-caste lineage. The film portrays the emotional turmoil of both Devanandan and his grandfather, Ambhu Panickar (played with subtle brilliance by Santhosh Keezhattoor), who struggles to uphold tradition while watching his grandson suffer. Puthukkunnu's direction is restrained yet powerful, with each frame steeped in meaning. The final shot, where Devanandan silently walks away adorned in Theyyam attire, is an image of defiance and liberation. Moppala is not just a story; it's a mirror reflecting uncomfortable truths.