With negative reviews and poor box office performance, I avoided watching it for the longest time. But now that I've finally caught up, I regret missing it for so long. Apparently, the movie is inspired by a real-life story.
This is the story of Ayisha, a woman from Nilambur, who migrates to the Gulf to work as a housemaid for an elite Arab family. She develops a special bond with Mama, the eldest member of the family who calls the shots in the palace. This beautiful relationship and other phases of her life are explored in the movie.
The story takes a bit of time to settle, but once it does, you are completely immersed in their world. The screenplay is beautifully written, making you root for the characters. It is not a typical damsel-in-distress story or a portrayal of the poor plight of NRIs, which are often the template for Gulf stories in Malayalam cinema.
Manju Warrier leads the show brilliantly. She is aging with such grace and poise, which is visible on screen. Mona Tawil, playing Mama, is the real star of the movie. She nails her part, making you laugh, cry, and feel connected to her. The chemistry between the two is organic and reaches your heart. Krishna Shankar adds an innocent charm to his character, which works well.
The beautiful palette of the Gulf is captured perfectly, adding a sweet essence to the movie. However, the songs are skippable, including the trendy number 'Kannilu Kannilu.' The only flaw is the somewhat absurd and illogical idea of Manju's character having such a profound impact on so many people.
Despite this minor glitch, the movie is worth watching and shouldn't be missed. This simple tale is bound to touch you emotionally.
#pranureviews #Ayisha #AyishaReview.
