Moppala

Moppala is a deeply moving exploration of how caste hierarchies manipulate even sacred art forms. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu crafts a story that is both intimate and universally resonant. Devanandan's yearning to perform Theyyam is not just about art - it's about belonging, dignity, and self-expression. Santhosh Keezhattoor shines as Ambhu Panickar, whose internal conflict reflects generations of conditioned silence. The film is steeped in the colors and rhythms of Theyyam, yet never loses sight of its political undercurrent. Its quiet moments are its loudest, especially the ending that leaves a lasting impression. Moppala is not loud in its protest, but its silence is thunderous.

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.

A Bold Commentary Wrapped in Ritual and Colour!

Rooted in Culture, Soaring with Emotion!

Tradition Meets Rebellion in This Theyyam-Centric Drama!

Moppala is a poignant reflection of the cultural and social struggles rooted in Kerala's caste matrix. Santhosh Puthukkunnu crafts a deeply affecting tale of tradition and defiance through the story of Devanandan. Santhosh Keezhattoor delivers a mature, understated performance as Ambhu Panickar, embodying the weight of legacy and sorrow. The film's climax - where Devanandan walks away adorned in Theyyam regalia - is a haunting metaphor for reclaiming silenced identities. Unmissable.

Rooted in the rich cultural soil of North Kerala, Moppala is a powerful story that challenges who has the right to perform, preserve, and inherit tradition. Director Santhosh Puthukkunnu presents a drama that is deeply personal yet socially urgent. At the heart of the story is Devanandan, a boy caught between his love for Theyyam and a society that refuses to accept him. Santhosh Keezhattoor, as Ambhu Panickar, delivers a heartfelt performance of a man torn between societal norms and his own blood. The visuals are stunning, the sound design evocative, and the screenplay thoughtful. Moppala shows how tradition can become a prison - unless someone breaks free. A bold and essential film.

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.