Paka

Language : Malayalam
Release date: 6 July 2022
Starring: Basil paulose, Vinitha Koshy, Nithin George
Directed by: Nithin Lukose
Produced by: Studio 99
Music by: Faisal Ahamed
Cinematography : Srikanth kabothu
Edited by : Arunima Shankar

Paka (River of Blood) is a 2021 Indian Malayalam language drama film written and directed by Nithin Lukose. The film stars Basil Paulose in lead role while Vinitha Koshy, Nithin George, Abhilash Nair, Jose Kizhakkkan, Athul John, Joseph Manikkal and Mariyakkutty are in supporting roles. The film is produced by Raj Rachakonda and Anurag Kashyap. The film premiered at the 2021 Toronto International Film Festival in Discovery Section. It is also selected in the Red Sea International Film Festival as Part of Competition section- 2021

What works

In front of an audience accustomed to hearing feel good grandmother stories, Paka arrives with a faceless grandmother who is exhausted with a story of grudge and hatred.

It must also be mentioned that the film is full of new faces and does not lag behind in performances. When the director had the courage to introduce those new characters, Malayalam cinema got a handful of new faces.

It goes without saying that the technical team was also shocked by the fact that the story of Paka’s blood-flowing river was told without using unnecessary cinematic methods in a very short running time.

What not works

The fact that subplots and backstories are not developed and presented in conversation form affects the storytelling of the film.

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