Ponman

Ponman is yet another gem from the Malayalam film industry. I'm always fascinated by how their writers and directors can take a simple premise and turn it into an engaging film for over two hours. This one follows the story of a jewelry salesman who advances gold to brides’ families on the condition that they repay him with the returned wedding gifts.

I went into this movie without even watching the trailer, so I had no idea where the story would go. The only reason I decided to watch it was Basil Joseph. Having seen several of his films before, I trust his choices. He’s not just an excellent actor but also a talented director, known for films like Minnal Murali. I often compare him to Telugu star Nani—neither has the conventional "hero" physique or charm, but both have great taste in movies and are effortlessly natural actors. With that confidence in Basil, I watched Ponman without any expectations, and it truly surprised me.

At first, when Basil Joseph’s character, PP Ajesh, gives gold to Steffi’s family for her wedding to Mariyono, I assumed he was a con man—maybe handing out fake gold and scamming brides. But the story took an entirely different turn. Steffi's family ends up unable to pay the full amount, and when Ajesh asks for some of his gold back, Steffi refuses and leaves for her husband’s home without informing him. What follows is a gripping journey of whether Ajesh manages to reclaim his gold from Steffi and Mariyono.

What makes this movie stand out is its screenplay. With such a simple yet unique premise, the challenge was to keep the audience engaged throughout. If this were a Telugu mass entertainer, it would have been resolved in a single fight scene, with the hero easily reclaiming the gold. But this is a Malayalam film. Writers G.R. Indugopan and Justin Mathew, along with director Jothish Shankar, take their time to show how an ordinary, seemingly weak man remains persistent and determined against all odds. It’s a true testament to resilience and the never-give-up attitude—something that today’s generation desperately needs to see. There's even a scene in the film that directly addresses this, with PP Ajesh delivering lines that serve as a lesson to young people struggling with life’s difficulties.

Jothish Shankar’s direction is excellent. The screenplay by G.R. Indugopan and Justin Mathew is impressive—it’s no small feat to engage audiences with such a straightforward conflict. Basil Joseph delivers a fantastic performance, portraying a helpless yet determined man who understands Steffi’s struggles but is also bound by his duty to return the gold to his employer. Lilomol Jose is good as Steffi, while Sajin Gopu is outstanding as Mariyono—his performance as the antagonist might open doors for him in other industries. The rest of the cast does a great job, and Sanu’s cinematography beautifully captures Kollam. The locations in Kerala continue to amaze me.

Once again, the Malayalam film industry delivers a solid, story-driven film. If you enjoy thrillers with a family drama backdrop, this one is worth watching.

Rating: 8/10.

Sookshmadarshini

 

I have always enjoyed Malayalam movies, particularly their thrillers. Some of these films are on par with the best Hollywood thrillers. A prime example is Drishyam, which was so gripping it was remade in multiple languages.

With that trust in the Malayalam industry, I pick movies that intrigue me. That’s how I came to watch Sookshmadarshini. Two key reasons drew me to it: Nazriya Nazim and Basil Joseph. Nazriya, who has even acted in Telugu films, is known for her excellent choice of scripts. Basil Joseph, an exceptional director whose work I’ve followed, also stars in this film. With both of them in the cast, I was confident the script had something special.

And I wasn’t disappointed. Sookshmadarshini is one of the best thrillers I’ve watched in recent times. I’m glad I avoided reading the synopsis beforehand—it made the experience more thrilling as I slowly realized what kind of story it was.

The plot revolves around Priya, played by Nazriya, who becomes suspicious of her mysterious neighbor Manual (Basil Joseph) and his peculiar relationship with his mother. The film unravels the mystery behind their strange behavior, revealing secrets and motives that keep you hooked till the end.

Set in a picturesque Kerala village, the film captures the lush greenery, with homes spaced far apart, adding an atmospheric backdrop to the story. Director M.C. Jithin and screenwriters Athulya and Libin T.B. did a fantastic job maintaining curiosity and tension throughout the film. They skillfully blend the typical curiosity of a housewife about her neighbors with a tightly woven mystery. As the twists and turns unfold, the film evokes a range of emotions, leaving you spellbound. I won’t spoil anything here, but the screenplay is on par with Vijay Sethupathi’s recent Maharaja. I’m surprised this film didn’t get the same level of attention, though it did perform well at the box office.

Malayalam storytellers deserve much more international recognition for their craft.

Coming to the performances, Nazriya is phenomenal as Priya, a housewife intrigued by her neighbor’s odd behavior. Her natural performance and expressive eyes convey a spectrum of emotions effortlessly. Basil Joseph excels in his role, showing he’s just as talented in front of the camera as he is behind it. The actress playing Manual’s mother also delivers a standout performance, and the supporting cast, including the nosy neighbors, adds depth to the story.

The background score is fantastic and perfectly complements the film’s mood. The cinematography is equally commendable, with some stunning drone shots that beautifully showcase the layout of the village and its homes. Though I’m not sure of the exact location, it feels tailor-made for this story.

It’s refreshing to watch a movie like this—without loud music, over-the-top dialogues, or cringe-worthy scenes. Films like Sookshmadarshini should be released pan-India so that a wider audience can appreciate them.

I’d rate this movie 9/10.