Pani

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.

I have always liked Malayalam films for their fresh stories and novel themes. Some time ago, I watched a movie called Irratta and really enjoyed it. The lead actor, Joju George, delivered an outstanding performance in dual roles. After seeing his talent, I thought Telugu filmmakers might cast him in prominent roles, but for some reason, that didn't happen.

Recently, while browsing for Malayalam movies, I came across Pani. Seeing that Joju George was the lead actor, my curiosity was piqued. Believing in the strength of Malayalam storytelling, I decided to watch it-and it didn't disappoint. It turned out to be one of the best thrillers I've seen. Interestingly, I learned this was also Joju George's directorial debut.

The movie revolves around a peaceful family disrupted by two young men with criminal tendencies. Although the family has a background in gangster dealings, they are largely involved in settlements and avoid violence. However, their lives are turned upside down by these seemingly ordinary youngsters.

After watching the movie, I checked out a few reviews. Many described it as a routine vengeance drama and questioned how two boys could realistically unsettle a gangster family. To me, these critics missed the core idea the director wanted to convey. The film highlights a troubling trend among Kerala's youth-a growing fascination with crime as a form of entertainment. These boys aren't just committing crimes for money; they evolve into psychopathic killers who derive pleasure from violence. In contrast, gangsters like Giri (the main lead) in the movie resort to violence only when there's a purpose or reason.

The story begins with the two boys killing someone involved in a land dispute for money. The gangsters in Thrissur are shocked because they usually know if a rival gang is involved, but this time, the crime is committed by two ordinary boys. Their "ordinariness" is their greatest advantage-no one would suspect them of such audacious acts.

The main conflict arises when one of the boys tries to molest Giri's wife and is beaten up by him. This incident sets off a chain of gruesome events and unexpected murders. Yes, the director takes some creative liberties-like how these boys seem to roam around without getting caught-but that's the point. Their seemingly weak and unassuming nature allows them to go unnoticed, adding a unique layer to the story.

The movie is engaging, though I felt a few scenes were slightly slow. Joju George's acting is exceptional-he conveys so much with subtle facial expressions. Abhinaya, who plays his wife, also delivers a strong performance. The background music is excellent and enhances the film's mood. Many scenes were shot in real locations in Thrissur, giving the movie a raw and authentic feel. I'm impressed they pulled this off, especially since shooting in public places with a star like Joju George isn't easy. The cinematography beautifully captures these realistic settings.

Overall, Pani offers a fresh perspective on vengeance stories, emphasizing how today's youth are drawn to crime without fully understanding its consequences. It also explores how society overlooks individuals like these boys due to their outwardly harmless appearance. While there are a few slow moments, the movie's unique take and gripping narrative make it stand out.

Absolutely stunning Movie. Must watch movie. People often glorify western crime movies and when it comes to Indian movie a lot of controversial things happen. The team of Pani really deserves an appreciation. It really takes guts to make such movie. Really an awesome movie. This movie creates a tension all along till the end . Cool cinematography and direction with excellent bgm raises your BP and makes you fully involved and energetic All Car races stunts are Awesome The team has done justice to movie This Movie happens in Thrissur and team Pani tried their best to visualise it.

Great Work team Pani.

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 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!