Puli

First of all I would like to appreciate the effort that has been put into making this film.

Positives.. 1. Good performance from The Nangleli actress. She did her best.

2. The BGM is nice even though there are places where its overdone.

3. The overall direction, art and choreography did well.

4. The film did bring those old era feels.

Now onto some criticism.. 1. Siju Wilson performance is just average, I mean the acting part.

2. Storyline is bit boring here and there. Not a totally compelling tale.

3. Gokulam Gopalan's casting as the lead actor's grandfather is terrible (cringe fest).

4. Also the Kannan kurup guy is below average.

5. Expected a more intense screenplay.

The film is better than Marakkar or Mamangam but no way close to Vadakkan Veeragatha or Pazhassiraja.

This could have been an epic, landmark movie ! In terms of production and costumes the movie might be one, but had the storytelling be tighter, editing a bit more crispier, some insights into main character's origin or struggles or "thoughts" (we only see his final actions and repercussions of those actions.

Now coming to the movie itself - the actions sequences were well shot - but got repeating and quite honestly boring towards the end. I was almost sleeping through some in the Theatre after a while ( yeah there is bunch of similar slow motion action sequences which definitely could have been cut)

The idea of clubbing Nangeli, Kochunni and Velayuda Panikar as a creative liberty would have been fine had they made a significant difference - here these are done in a messy and pretty ridiculous manner. And king asking Panikar to capture Kochunni and Kochunni stealing from a poor priest are really doing injustice and totally wrapping history cruelly and un-necessarily as well ( it doesnt really after the overall narrative other much )

I had low expectations but this was even lower than that.

Siju Wilson did well and the nangeli actress kayadu also done well. Deepti sati , chemban Allencier etc supporting cast is also good.

There are some high production value and good constumes etc Some good songs and action sequences too.

Main problem is, this is a very artificial periodic drama. It is made as a low class masala movie , no justice to the periodical elements such as language and art.

Siju wilson has put lot of effort phisically, but all that got wasted. Cannot really judge if he has potential or not. Nothing more to write.

I am kinda confused as to why I found this one to be surprisingly the best one among the recent lot of period dramas that came and went without any real engaging experience.

It doesn't do anything better than the period dramas that came before but idk it maybe coz it didn't have that kind of elevations like them too.

The sets weren't very striking except for a few ones like the ones put up for the port? The others looked good but at the same time the artificiality could also be easily seen.

The performances were decent enough and i guess I found it engaging and entertaining coz of the narrative and major plot points, which I felt were delivered neatly and with needed seriousness in it..... which I didn't find effective in those other malayalam period dramas (if being honest MAMANGAM did have a partially effective one though but it faltered on most of the other stuff) of recent times.

Siju Wilson delivers in a good if not exceptional way and the other supporting cast members too contributed decent performances.

The script was missing with good and striking character elevations and dialogues and the action sequences too weren't anything gripping.

Everything felt really grounded from the get go but the climatic action sequences was the one that finally did the very much needed character elevation and stylish(even if with a bit overused slowmotion effect)and engaging and the whole of it even made me root for AVP :)

Overall even with the lack of good and memorable character expositions, quality compressions and lack of tightness in script I really found it to be an engaging and enjoyable period action drama fr.

PS the voiceover from ikka at the end. Lit af

6.5/10.

Among the movies which have came from time to time in malayalam film industry depicting the historical events, this movie stands out with its strong plot, perfect casting & power packed visuals.

The core of the movie is indeed the plot which grabs our attention and takes us to the unethical practices in 19th century and as a viewer we are able to experience it in a wider scale through this movie.

The power packed action scenes gifts a wonderful theatric experience without a flaw and give goosebumps in time.

Though the songs were not up to the mark the background score have done justice.

As an actor, this movie is indeed gonna be a turning point for Actor Siju, as his dedication level in portraying the character is really commendable. Actress Kayadu Lohar have also done a good job in executing the character in an intensive way and conveying the message.

This movie really needs a lot of appreciation as it's one of its kind which we can present globally, and can even add as a milestone in malayalam industry, but i was surprised to see the theatres with more empty seats within a week.

Anyway director Vinayan have delivered us a wonderful movie taking it to the next level and let's hope his future developments are also fruitful in time.