Malayankunju

The Fahadh Faasil-Mahesh Narayanan combination is one that has made a habit of only delivering superhits in Malayalam, right from the National Award-winning "Take Off (2017)" to the groundbreaking "C U Soon (2020)" and the moving "Malik (2021)". Despite Narayanan vacating the director's chair for his pupil Sajimon Prabhakar, the Mahesh Narayanan-ness of "Malayankunju" is clear for everyone to see, right from the intricate, rooted character study in the narrative to smooth intercuts as the storytelling uses the non-linear approach to good effect.

"Malayankunju" follows the journey of "Anikuttan" (Fahadh) a prickly, temperamental electrician living in the scenic foothills of rural Mulavumpara. Having suffered a devastating loss just some years ago, the enterprising technician is clearly suffering from PTSD and paranoia and is in many respects the antithesis of the happy-go-luck "Mahesh Bhavana" that Fahadh played so well in what I regard is his best work till date, the 2016 smash hit "Maheshinte Prathikaram". After painting a thoroughly enjoyable character persona of our titular protagonist, the story quickly moves into how he has his world literally and figuratively collapse around him after heavy rains cause a massive landslide.

Taking inspiration from the devastating Kerala Floods of 2018, it is no wonder that the makers had put out a warning before the movie's release that the film is not suitable for claustrophobes. Mahesh Narayanan's screenplay and cinematography come into full effect as we see the protagonist try to survive being caved in and figure a way out in scarily confined spaces. The cliched "Fahadh's eyes" have become a running meme these days, but it cannot be overstated how much the actor relies on them here to convey paranoia, dread and ultimately hope and redemption as the story movies along.

That Fahadh Faasil disappears into the character of an obsessive, irascible villager is no longer a surprise at this point but it is truly awe-inspiring that he makes us buy into and empathize with a persona that is so unlikeable and unrelatable at the onset. As the deft storytelling of director Sajimon shows us how the curmudgeonly electrician is suspicious of everyone and everything around him, interlinked flashbacks to his tumultuous past give us more insight into what made him this way and the pain he has undergone due to trying circumstances. "Malayankunju" delivers a poignant yet hopeful chronicle of how if you open your heart and relinquish your doubts and fears, redemption and absolution will find you rather than you going vainly in search for them. Highly recommended!

Positive are Fahad, AR Rahman music ,Background effects and score , And the second half thrills. Can't think of anything negative.

Compared to most international survival thrillers we seen , this movie got different layers. It is not about hero escaping and emotional family waiting. The casteism part in first half and the emotional bond in second half gives it a different perspective.

Watch in theaters or with a good home theater.

Nicely done.

A lot of things are bandied about in this movie. Nice message, deserving for the humans of today.

But none of it hinders in the story telling. And individual performances from the lead played by FaFa and everyone else including Ponni stands out.

Good cinema.

The movie is set in a village greenery atmosphere of Idukki. The plot is great. Casting is excellent. The climax scene is the highlight of the movie.. I really loved it... The technical side is applaudable and overall I enjoyed the movie...

The films starts slow, introducing characters and giving us a picture of Fahad Faasil's Anil, an electronics repair man.

First half was bit slow for my liking when it builds the narrative, till the event of the movie comes up in the interval. The one hour pre interval bit feels stretched.

Post interval is when the plot moves on to the rebirth of Anil, when he escapes from the old self, and becomes a changed man.

And the second part of the movie goes fast, making the audience gasp when finally the credits roll in awe of how fast it ended.

The technical aspects are perfect, creating the feeling of being trapped in the second half and AR Rahmans music adds to the mood.

So definitely a watchable flick from Fahad.