Pani

Pani is a brilliant example of Indian cinema pushing boundaries with bold storytelling and captivating visuals.

Set in Thrissur, the film combines tension, stunning cinematography, and heart-pounding car stunts to create a truly immersive experience.

The direction and background score keep you on edge, making every moment impactful. The team's effort to visualize Thrissur authentically adds depth, while the thrilling action sequences are executed flawlessly. Kudos to Team Pani for their courage in crafting such a gripping and unforgettable film.

A must-watch for lovers of intense and innovative cinema!

Pani (2024) aka The Job "A Truly Stunning Thriller"

Pani is the directorial debut of Malayalam Actor Joju George, who had started his career as a struggling junior artist. The journey from his early struggling days, from a Junior Actor to becoming a leading Hero, later to a Producer, Writer and finally to a Director, is a testament to the growth of a passionate artist, as showcased in Pani.

Watched the Telugu dubbed Version. Pani tells the unsettling story of a Big shot whose life went upside down when he accidentally crosses path with two low life youngsters, who turn out to be brutal criminals.

With great cast and great technical team, director Joju has crafted a gripping thriller. For an actor making his first directorial debut, it would have been safer to choose a Hit Remake film, much like Kamal Hassan did with his directorial debut Chachi 420, remake of Mrs Doubtfire, or simply he could have opted to build a film around the stardom of a superstar, as Prithviraj did with his debut Lucifer. But Joju simply went for a risky character driven thriller uniquely written for Antagonists.

This is one of those rare movies where the Villains were written so brilliantly that such roles turns out to be pure gold for any aspiring actors. And the newcomers in the movie portrayed these roles exceptionally well. The phrase 'A movie is only as good as its villain' truly holds true in the case of Pani.

As a director, Joju had the freedom to boost his Hero image incorporating with unlimited hero-centric, Hero elevation scenes, slow motion Hero shots, Mass dialogues, dance and songs. But he chose to shy away from such gimmicks, focusing on the character driven story arc. It's a remarkable directorial achievement for an Artist like Joju to make such bold creative decisions, avoiding the commercialization of a revenge storyline.

Don't know why some people bitiching about the violence in this movie. I found it to be very low and soft on violence even for a U/A rating. The version I saw didn't have any sort of mature scenes, nudity, or any graphical frightening shots.

A hard rating "A certificate" is more suitable for Tamil movies like Maharaja, which deal with high octane violence and intense subjects like rape. It's high time the SIMP GENERATION people should really stop bitiching about hard hitting movies, and really appreciate the effort taken by the makers to pitch such strong subjects.

Positives - The Story, The Tone, The writing, The Treatment. Also the night Photography, this is one of the rare films that captures the charm of thrilling Night shots so effectively. The way it was lit, especially in a thriller, those vehicle shots, rigging for vehicles is another art, shout out to the cinematography team, hands down one of the best experience. And above all, the direction, I don't know whether it was Joju George or his associate teams - the true Author of this film, who ever pulled this off, deserves an award.

Negatives - The third act feels a little lame, could have ended on a stronger note, also the makeup for one of the villain on second half, that fake moustache feels out of place.

I give this movie a deserving 8/10. Waiting to watch the original Malayalam version in OTT just to cross check if any violent scenes were edited out in the Telugu version.

Pani is a Malayalam action thriller that follows Giri, a powerful gangster in Thrissur, whose peaceful life is disrupted by two young criminals, leading to a series of events filled with vengeance and intrigue.

The movie presents a straightforward narrative that manages to keep the audience engaged. However, the initial 30 minutes felt somewhat disconnected, making it challenging to fully immerse into the story from the beginning. The Hindi dubbing could have been improved to enhance the viewing experience for a broader audience.

In terms of violence, the film doesn't quite meet the expectations set by its genre, with significant action primarily concentrated in the final scenes. Character development varies; some characters are well-crafted, allowing for a strong connection, while others lack depth, making it hard to relate to them.

Overall, Pani is a decent, one-time watch that offers enjoyment without leading to disappointment. However, if you're anticipating high levels of violence throughout, it might fall short of those expectations.

Pani is a cinematic work belonging to the action crime thriller drama genres, under the direction of Joju Jeorge.

The film's narrative is focused on the character of Giri and the relationships he shares with his family and friends. The characters, namely Giri and his associates, wield considerable influence within Thrissur City. The film's narrative is set against the backdrop of the quotation gangs that operate within the city, with Giri and his allies exerting a significant degree of control over these groups. However, the narrative takes a dramatic turn when Giri's wife is assaulted by Don Sebastian and Siju, a newly formed quotation team that rapidly ascends to prominence. The primary motivation for their actions is a desire for retribution against Giri for publicly humiliating them. In response, Giri and his associates endeavour to apprehend the assailants. However, the aforementioned individuals proceeded to inflict further harm upon Giri's associates. This culminated in the murder of one of Giri's closest companions and injuries to his brother-in-law and mother. The assailants then surrendered to the police. However, Giri was able to apprehend them and subsequently killed them.

The narrative is of a moderate and established nature. The direction, however, is commendable and adheres to established conventions. The performances of the cast members are noteworthy for their commendable quality. The cinematography and musical scores are of a high standard. The film is therefore considered to be of value as a one-time watching experience.

Pani (Work) Malayalam Movie Review *

Directed by Joju George and starring himself alongside Sagar Surya, Abhinaya, and Junaiz VP, this film delivers despite its familiar storyline. It tells the tale of two young individuals who become a thorn in the side of Thrissur District's notable figure Giri, and how Giri navigates this challenge.

While the narrative may not be unique, Joju George's skilled direction and apt casting selections make the movie engaging. The screenplay is well-paced, preventing lag and culminating in an impactful interval block and climax. 🔥

Noteworthy performances come from Sagar Surya and Junaiz, who evoke fear and convincingly undermine Giri's morale. Joju George delivers a comfortable performance within his range, while Abhinaya provides a solid portrayal of Giri's wife.

Overall, Pani is a commendable watch on the big screen.