I Am Kathalan

This movie didn't get that much screening time in the theatre like 'Premalu' and was a box-office failure but I did enjoy this one and once again Girish has done a good job in executing a good flick.

I couldn't find a reason why this film failed in the box office. Many people who watched the film were saying that the actress was a miscast but I don't agree with that view. Anishma has indeed delivered a fine and natural performance.

The director also went for a unique ending and I always admire this part of Girish's direction. Many positive comments were also seen from the audience for accurately portraying the IT aspects in the film. Overall a great watch.

In an era where Malayalam cinema has been consistently pushing boundaries, "I am Kathalan" emerges as a refreshing addition to the genre of techno-thrillers. This film, directed by the talented Girish A. D., offers a unique blend of suspense, romance, and a deep dive into the world of cybercrime. Naslen, the lead actor, delivers a stellar performance as Vishnu, an ordinary young man who finds himself embroiled in an extraordinary situation. Vishnu, a tech-savvy individual with a heart of gold, is portrayed with such authenticity that it's easy to empathize with his struggles and triumphs. His journey from an underachieving college student to a skilled hacker is both inspiring and thrilling.

The material feels apt for two 30-minute episodes of Karikku Fliq than a 1h 45m film. There aren't any highs or lows in the screenplay - just a matter-of-fact presentation of the plot. This makes it realistic from the hacking perspective, but simultaneously less thrilling from a cinematic standpoint. Naslen is once again a jobless youth with pending supplementary exams, but I shouldn't forget that the film was made before Premalu and lying unreleased for a long time. Anishma Anilkumar is okay; I'm not sure if this will open the doors to many future roles (2020s Sathyan Anthikad is probably taking notes). The rest of the cast (consisting of Dileesh Pothan, Lijomol Jose) is fairly decent. Also, to call this a techno-thriller-comedy would be a stretch. There are a few chuckle-worthy moments here and there, but the core remains the hacking bits. At least, Girish AD depicted it believably, subverting several cliches associated with hackers (both blackhat and ethical) while doing so. The music and cinematography are serviceable.

I Am Kathalan (I Am Lover) is a cool film to spend an afternoon on. Naslen assumes the titular role as he gets on with his cyber shenanigans to get back at a person who wronged him. This is a typical anti-hero film where you'll naturally root for the guy but it's the small pockets of humour and believable tech happenings that elevate the film into an enjoyable watch. Naslen is in his calm demeanour here (as last seen in Premalu) but I also like the other actors who put up a good show. Dileesh Pothan is as good as he gets but I'm starting to feel Anishma Anilkumar plays the same role in every film.

Simple story, great execution

Wonderful acting by all, ni glamour required, smooth story telling, excellent direction, to the point, smart.

I had liked this director's other moovie Premalu too.

Naslen K. Gafoor is one of my favourite actors.

Best wishes to the team for future projects.

Casting is also great, they have made sure that importance is given to story than anything else.

Keep doing such great work on such a smart scripts which are precise.

I don't think this movie has any song.

The locations are also great, precise and simple.

I want to see more such movies.

Thank you to the team.