User reviews

Just like the name signifies, this mind-blowing at the same time, disturbing film has kept a bunch of visual explosions of flavors keeping the viewers at awe. Choosing an unconventional and raw narrative style to unfold the banal story of religiously oppressed humanity, the film has made an exceptionally bold attempt to expose the sexual perceptions prevalent even in the current era. The film realistically showcases how society has become metaphorically blind and made each and every woman incapable of leading an independent life. The story is narrated putting Khadeeja, the protagonist in perspective, representing her as a victim of a patriarchal social situation and her grave situation is enhanced by the fanatic religious customs. The film has done a wonderful job in detailing how religious acts have evolved in favour of men and helped to build a patriarchal society. Even the sexual practices have to be done adhering to some dump customs which are no way connected to the pleasure gained from it. And, here too, women have to face terrible consequences if they do otherwise. Just like in 'The great Indian kitchen', here the protagonist is reaching a breaking point and breaking all the invisible chains to gain her sexual freedom. But, whether she has gained that freedom that she wanted for so long is still questionable. By showcasing this, the film is telling how extensive and deep the patriarchy is rooted in our society. The final scenes draw out Khadeeja's wish and dream , unattained and far-fetched and reminds us how adamant the conservative chains are. This movie is surely something we have not experienced even in Indian cinema and of course, it's disturbing to see some of the movie scenes which are not generally recommended to normal cinema viewers. But, the fact is that reality is even more haunting than this fictional piece of art.

This is the real Great Indian Kitchen. The one released earlier doesn't suits.

Biryaani tells the truth. It conveys many rela life incidents. Audience although agrees cannot agree to this movie because of a fear factor for a particular religion.

This is much better that The Great Indian Kitchen of Suraj.

Disturbing Brave and Bold movie ever made in Malayalam film industry. Kani kusrithi & Sajin Babu 👏👏👏

Sajin Baabu has accomplished something which has never been tried in the Indian Film Industry. The tale of female who suffers from all evils men can offer to her; and Kani Kusrti portrays the female suffering and need of a woman to extreme levels.

This might be disturbing to some; but a story which is so true which grips our society like plague. Some scenes may be disturbing to some; but this movie is worth the try.

Sajin is a story teller of amazing power.

Well portrayed and acted .Truly deserves appreciation .. Fine work by the whole team .

Very bold seens in an Indian movie. Must watch, casting is brilliant and acting is natural.

Raw, unconventional , bold, disturbing take on social stigma, religious oppression. Not everybody would appreciate this and might even offend few but gusty outing . Director tried to shed light on multiple topics but not completely fleshed out yet succeeded in showing his intentions through Kani Kusruti who brilliantly portrayed her role, hastoff for accepting a role like this. The final act is really unexpected and changed the entire mood of the film, if we keep this act aside, rest of the movie is just ok. But, that climax act gonna change your view on the film as it made me to praise it more. Check it out!!!

This is not a women empowerment movie at all. The women broke the chain by doing what,prostitution?

If life fails you, You use your body to earn your bread easily, is that what we want to teach our girls? Biriyaani lacks the basic sense of how to make a woman oriented social flick, instead it knocks down the chance purposely.

The story revolves around a mother and daughter living in a coastal area trying to cope with certain events that affect their lives. The film will reflect some contemporary events which we are very familiar with. The story is told through the point of view of Kani's character Khadeeja. Without going much into it, I would say terrorism is one of its key themes. What would a mother and daughter do when they are faced with a difficult, scandalous situation? That's the crux of the story.The actress KANI wins the best actress award in Moscow International Film Festival (MIFF) 2020 October.

Such a mind disturbing movie and contains too much sexual scenes also better to not watch this.

My heading is not an overstatement. For the first time in an Indian movie you get to witness the kind of mind numbing savagery we saw in Irreversible or Martyrs or I stand Alone. It's not the gore but the remorseless execution by the director and unbelievable performances by an almost completely rookie cast. The story focuses on the misfortunes of Khadeeja who is from a very backward family, uneducated and a burden for her somewhat well to do husband and in-laws. Once her missing brother is accused of joining Isis her life turns upside down. She's divorced, abandoned and ostracized by the religious bigwigs. With a mentally ill mother at her disposal and left to fend for themselves Khadeeja takes on the society on her own terms. I don't want to further spoil the following mayhem. Keeping apart all the kudos the film has , its director has a political agenda and it's definitely right wing. The director very subtly establishes the existence of the love jihad propaganda through a muezzin or a Muslim cleric who is the greatest living socialist, who calls prostitution just another job. On a cinematic plain it's effective but in the current scenario many will find it offending. The star of the movie Kani Kusruthi is a volcano. She just gobbles up every challenge thrown at her with the nonchalance of flowing lava. Looking forward to more movies from this real 'lady superstar'

Realistic and Bold undoubtedly. Rare one. Good watch.

Seriously one of the raw haunting independent movie ever made in indian cinema. This movie hopefully explicit muslim rituals and rules. They shown one of the dark and shady side of the honored religion. Khadeeja acting is remarkable. This movie should have well deserved.

Biriyaani (2020) : Brief Review -

Extra Spicy, exta bold, extra vulgar but still couldn't cook a proper dish of Muslim Women's problems because of absurd idealogy of Prostitution by Choice. Biriyaani has unexpectedly come out as one of the boldest film from Malayalam Cinema, and to some extent from Indian Cinema which had a cause to go bold but couldn't find a proper way for it. I remember watching couple of Classic Flicks from Foreign Cinema like Chinese Flick 'The Goddess' (1933) and Mizoguchi's Japanese Flick 'The Life of Oharu' (1952) where the lead actress is seen in the business of prostitution. However, those two films shows the real fight of women as we see the women being forced to do the work by the horrible situations hence the sympathetic connect was generated by default. Here, Biriyaani has failed to create that window for sympathetic connect as the lead actress herself chooses prostitution by choice and we are left with no other choice than hate her. The movie chronicles the life of Khadeeja, a married Muslim woman confined within the four walls of the household, forced to conceal her desires in the name of religious and societal norms. The movie begins with a bold Sex scene and warns you already to be prepared for the upcoming vulgar show. Eventually, it goes on to showcase several disturbing visuals such as Circumcision ceremony, masturbation and many sex scenes. Now i am just thinking what's this all had got to do with the storyline or the concept? It was supposed to be a story of a helpless muslim woman who gears herself up to fight against the social norms, right? Then how does that opening sex scene, circumcision scene and her prostitution by choice makes sense towards it? Ain't it pathetic to destroy the basic sense like morality? And how is she even okay having a child inside her whose father is unknown? And what's that brutal revenge makes her pain go away after that Iftaar biriyaani which isn't even acknowledged by the culprits? And how suddenly she becomes close to that aged man of her father's age? Everything was senseless, just absurd. Anyways, the ultimate redemption for her sins was expected then, and it happens, i mean thank god it happens. Biriyaani lacks the basic sense of how to make a woman oriented social flick, instead it demolishes that little chance by its own hands but thankfully it has realistic execution, good performances and technically correct direction to survive. The slow screenplay and useless scenes makes it boring occasionally and that's a bad thing when you know it's not a long film but just 90 minutes ride. Overall, a gutsy attempt to bring boldness into Woman oriented cinema which somehow serves an average and mediocre Dish.

RATING - 5/10*

By - #samthebestest.

First of all let me congratulate the director for taking film on Such a topic,where all other directors remain silent.

Muslim women are living the life of slaves, especially in india,pak and bangladesh. No one is ever dare to talk about this.

If any woman from this community raise their voice the remaining will oppress her in all means as possible, they may even try to kill her.

"AAZADI" for muslim women....

Biriyaani crescendoes into one of the most ghastly, visually repulsive climaxes that I have ever seen for an Indian film. And if I were to remove that element out, I can easily call it an average drama that is worth a watch because of the social stigmas it tries to explore and break. Director Sajin Babu creates a singular character (Kani Kusruti) and puts it raw into the current world where the society takes most of the important decisions. Whether it is the burial of a dead body, what type of a job one should take and enjoy, or the quick assumption that if a family member is a terrorist the whole family should also be branded as one. In some ways, it is the usual social elements that we have been seeing in cinema lately but the linear graph of multiple issues that a single character bears in a short span of time is what makes Biriyaani unique and an affair worth talking about. But, it should be noted, that the film is extremely uncomfortable to watch and I don't even mean the raw sexual sequences scattered all over. Kusruti is, as usual, terrific in her character and singlehandedly drives it into what it is. TN.

(Watched and reviewed at the 12th Bengaluru International Film Festival (BIFFES).)

Experience the superb movie 👌👌👌👌Kani rocksss n stunned with her brilliant acting.every character in the movie delivered a brilliant effort to make this film superb.

Bold ,uncut,revolutionary,strong performance with a strong message.

#BIRIYAANI RARELY RAWLY REALISTICALLY WRITTEN AND BRAVELY BRILLIANTLY BOLDLY MADE HEART WRENCHING DOCUDRAMA WHICH MADE MY EARS DEAF, MOUTH DUMB AND EYES WET.

EVEN CAN'T IMAGINE THE SITUATIONS THOSE PROTAGONIST GONE THROUGH.

A befitting reply to ..................Mongers in society. Climax sets above par with Incendies & Old Boy.

Kudos to.the whole team with a bold stamp. Let the world know the dark side of several minnows........

Got to see a raw and real acting from each one of the team. Carry on for the next project.......

Great effort by Sajin Baabu & his Team !!!

"Biriyaani" is a Malayalam language social drama film which is globally released in 2021. This flim is first premiered at Asiatica Film Festival in Italy in 2019. The movie has received various accolades at many international and national film festivals. The plot revolves around the life of a married Muslim woman. But as the time passes by, the movie is gonna cover the audience with its multiple layers. First of all, I bow to Sajin Baabu for his courageous attempt to choose a content like this. The movie upholds the dark sides of our society, male domination, Muslim religious practices, love jihad, terrorism in Kerala.

What a stunning performance by Kani Kusruti. I can feel the suppressed agony throughout the movie. Even it is still with me. The movie is disturbing, raw and very real. It's very hard to digest. The love I have for Malayalam industry increases day by day. The climax of this movie will pop up on my mind when I will have biryani on my plate next time. According to me, "Biriyaani" is that kind of film you shouldn't miss at all. You will realise the meaning of "Flavors of flesh" at the end of this movie. The movie is very thought provoking.

Should wrongs be seriously corrected with further wrongs?

You should drop everything and definitely watch this movie.

The makers stubbornness to tell this story is ostensibly evident and it comments on religion, extremism, religiously proscribed matters that are forbidden to women of particular religion, disregarded wife issues, their desires, anarchism towards vulnerability, and communal marginalization. The script is brutally contempo, Kani, Shailaja, Anil, Surjith and Shyam brings the intensity, excellent script, Cinematography are the takeaways.

This movie is pure hallmarked Gold... And making a movie like this is not easy , especially when the content is sensitive and disturbing.. you can't help but fall for the protagonist who tries her best to Act calm in difficult situations yet fails to do so. Anything more will spoil so I leave it at that.

Reveals the truth as it is❤👌 Well written and well crafted.

Applause to the team👏👏👏👏