Njaan Ippo Entha Cheyya?

Until now I have only seen Malayalam movies that are made by people in kerala making movies set in other places. Considering there is now a big diaspora of Malayalis who speak a 'fraud' version of the language (to use an Orkut age description) and film makers who are second or third generation out of kerala, is this a kind of movie made by them, for them? And what better than an pandemic age movie to herald this new genre or type of moves and film makers. Not sure how people rooted in Kerala will view this film. Overall an interesting take on those days everyone wants to forget - the pandemic.

Njaan Ippo Entha Cheyya?, the debut feature by Vijay Menon, is a slow-burning dark comedy set against the backdrop of the COVID 19 lockdown. It follows two strangers Dhivya (Deepa Thomas) and Arjun (Shyam Mohan) who connect online, bond over mundane conversations that quickly spiral into tension, and eventually confront a chilling twist involving murder.

The film shines brightest in its dialogues meandering between the mundane, existential, and occasionally darkly comic, creating a unique atmosphere that reflects pandemic fatigue . Deepa Thomas delivers a standout performance with natural energy that grounds the evolving anxiety and unpredictability between the pair.

While the narrative pacing might feel slow for some, the payoff is satisfying. The climax, delivered through quick, intense cuts, is effective and memorable .

This was an out of the box fun movie. The typical banter and fighting that one would have witnessed or gone through with their sibling, music references, movie references etc struck a chord in me. Its probably not a run of the mill movie in that sense. The second half was rather interesting, and took on a mad caper meets a semi film noir feel. The brother and sister duo have done an interesting job and their chemistry is good fun.

The movie could have been much shorter in duration with some pieces scenes not adding anything to the story.

I also very much liked the little tyke Anjali who knows how to hustle for chocolate !

The music is also interesting. And its nice how the entire movie is pretty much shot in the house but doesnt get visually boring.

The first 30 to 40 minutes - pretty much relatable. That kind of left me wondering where this was all heading to.

Then I recalled the trailer had hinted a twist. Was waiting for that. Having formed my view about the characters, had already built my story. But then, it was not to be. My story fell apart and what transpired..... I will leave it at that. 🤐

The siblings excel in the first half and then Deepa comes alive and takes the movie a notch above, ably supported by Abhi, who is pretty much himself.

Every character has played their role as someone we can relate to, without any melodrama.

'My cuckoo mind' keeps playing in one's head.

There is always something innocent, charming and at the same time a competitive undercurrent running when two siblings banter. The film captures the all of these in equal measure when two siblings - Arjun and Deepa are forced to spend time together during the pandemic lockdown

NIEC (Nyan Ippo Enta Cheyya) is A film that draws audiences in with its mosaic of conversations that swing between the abstract, the existential and the mundane. Characters, and their idiosyncrasies get etched with these conversations (you even start following the characters that don't have any screen time!)

But as the conversations flow.. a surreal story also starts unfolding. One that bubbles up the insecurities and survival instinct.

But, All ends well as the siblings come through it unscathed.. learning a larger life lesson that would bond them closer and maybe even joust more..