Petals!

Sarkeet Malayalam Movie Review: This Asif Ali-starrer is a gentle, powerful and heartwarming film in the way it depicts relationships and how a child's world is brought to life with a dose of harsh reality that threads adult relationships. It's not your typical masala formula movie with slapstick comedy - this is a transformative film that explores the relationship between stressed out adults and a child with ADHD.  This is not a film for those who want a fast-paced family entertainer. This is also not for those who want an 'ephemeral kick' as Shri K Jayakumar IAS, noted lyricist and award winning poet, once referred to in an interview about poetry and stories.  Simply put, Director Thamar's 'Sarkeet' is a heartwarming film.  [Love Travelling, Books, Movies, Eating Out? Subscribe to Svara's Newsletter] Sarkeet Malayalam Movie Review: Story, Star Cast, Theme While exploring themes such as  a child's ADHD condition and how it takes a toll on the alread...

Is Nadanna Sambhavam a family movie? Directed by Vishnu Narayan, this Biju Menon-Suraj Venjaramoodu starrer is a good family entertainer centered on an affluent, unconventional couple who stay in an elitist conservative colony where insecure husbands and unhappy wives project their biases onto the new couple. [READ: Best Parenting Movie in Hindi] Nadanna Sambhavam movie: Story Wondering if Nadanna Sambhavam is a comedy? Scene by scene, through comedy, one realises only the clothes and houses look "modern"; people's mindsets date back to centuries-old, patriarchal biases. As a loving husband and a caring neighbour, Biju Menon's natural acting skills are in full throttle. The tonality of his voice when he speaks to women is a noteworthy template for men who lack the same empathy and finesse in their social skills while interacting with women in public spaces. In sharp contrast, Suraj Venjaramoodu strikes a slightly menacing persona. He portrays an arrogant man who is ...

Kondal Malayalam Movie Review: As a Malayali movie goer, I didn't enjoy Angamaly Diaries. Still, through this film, Antony Varghese made a definite impression as an actor to watch out for. While he isn't your typical hero, there is a raw energy and authenticity to how he portrays a protagonist that makes him a powerful artist. However, the raw energy fails to hit the right mark as he needs more 'direction' in terms of channelising it. Kondal Movie Review: How Women Protagonists are Shown The depiction of women protagonists in the fisherfolk community remains a huge disappointment. In Chemmeen, Malayalis loved Sheela's brilliant portrayal of a fisherwoman's moral and ethical dilemmas. The characterisation was deeply layered and complex, brought to life by a highly talented artist, Sheela. Such depth is absent in this film's female protagonists. Kondal Movie Story Throughout Kondal movie, Antony Varghese's raw energy and rage stand out as the striking sh...

Sara's Malayalam movie review: Malayalam cinema is known for breaking stereotypes even when its male audience may find it clearly unpalatable. One of the recent Malayalam films this year that I really found thought provoking is 'Sara's' on Amazon Prime despite the fact that it has many sketchy areas in its narrative and I do not support Sara's personal choices. [READ: Prithviraj starrer Mumbai Police breaks stereotypes!] Sara's Malayalam Movie Review: To have a child or not should be a woman's decision 'Sara's' is a film that urges Malayalis to give a 'woman' more independence about deciding whether she is ready to marry, and if she is, if she wants to have a child and if that choice comes under scrutiny, the final choice should be hers alone - it is her body, her life - not the guy's. This is something I personally believe in - a woman should never be forced to do anything against her will by anyone. No matter how you view it, a man ...

Sujiith Vaasudev has many fantastic movies to his credit, as a cinematographer. His cinematography is refreshingly different and you would know what I mean if you check out his work in the following films: Drishyam, 7th Day, Memories, Anarkali among many others. With 'James and Alice',   Sujiith Vaasudev makes an impressive entry as a director in Malayalam cinema. Here are 5 things to know about the movie 'James and Alice': 'James and Alice' movie review: A solid story narrated in a refreshing way 'James and Alice' is not just a love story. You have a solid script and a refreshing format that takes every scene in this movie from strength to strength.  James (starring Prithviraj) is a struggling, but talented painter-turned-ad maker who is married to Alice, the daughter of a rich NRI. They fall in love and tie the knot against the wishes of her NRI father (starring Sai Kumar). So far, it's nothing new. But wait - it's not what you...

Anjali Menon's " Bangalore Days " is a fun-filled, entertainer. It revolves around three cousins whose lives change when they shift to Bangalore. The film is directed by Anjali Menon who has worked in films such as "Ustad Hotel" and "Manjadikuru."    If you have seen the two movies mentioned here, you will have high expectations from Bangalore Days. You won’t be disappointed. Not one bit.  So, what makes this such an engaging movie that we can connect with? It is not the actors, actresses, the music (nothing refreshing, tried too hard to sound officially retro! ) or even the story line. It’s the emotional edge, the reality tucked into dialogues, expressions and situations.  Bangalore Days: STORY "Bangalore Days" revolves around three cousins Arjun (Dulquer), Kuttan (Nivin Pauly) and Divya (Nazriya Nazim). Besides the lead actors, the film also includes Fahadh Faasil, Isha Talwar, Nithya Menon and Parvathy Menon in good roles. sig...

Exploring a completely different dimension in his latest film Mumbai Police , Director Rosshan Anddrews delivers a fast-paced, thriller film after his award winning fims such as Udayananu Tharam, Notebook and others. To flesh out the script written by Boby Sanjay, Rosshan Anddrews ropes in actors such as Prithviraj, Rahman and Jayasurya to portray three police officers: Antony Moses, Farhan and Aryan respectively. The story begins with a phone call that Antony Moses (starring Prithviraj) makes to Farhan (starring Rahman) saying that he has solved the murder mystery of Aryan (starring Jayasurya). Just as he says this, there is an accident and Antony Moses loses his memory. From then, Farhan's attempt is to take Antony through people and places that are likely to trigger his memory so that they can solve the murder of their close friend and colleague Aryan. A series of events happen, almost hurtling us towards it.   And I am taking the liberty to hand out troph...