Directed by:Ganesh Raj
Starring: Vijayaraghavan,K. P. A. C. Leela, Basil Joseph,Vineeth Sreenivasan, Suhasini Maniratnam
Cinematography: Anend C Chandran
Edited by:Midhun Murali
Music by:Sachin Warrier
Production:CNC Cinemas, Thomas Thiruvalla Films
Release date:8 April 2023
Language: Malayalam

Pookkaalam is a Malayalam language film, written and directed by Ganesh Raj. The film stars veteran actor Vijayaraghavan playing the lead role, as an 100-year-old,along with K.P.A.C.Leela, Roshan Mathew, Jagadish and Suhasini Maniratnam.The film also stars actor-directors Basil Joseph, Vineeth Sreenivasan and Johny Antony.

Families have always been a lucrative source of drama. From identity crises and interpersonal relationships to issues of being too cooped up together or too spaced apart – there’s enough fodder for a new story every time. As a family drama, Pookkaalam plays into this, the fact that each family and its web of relationships is completely unique to itself. From the very first scene, it’s quite visible how the direction, cinematography and dialogues truly characterize this family drama. With the casual air of a family get-together interspersed with underlying tensions and struggles, Pookkaalam sets the tone of everyday life.


The great thing about Pookkaalam is all the complex relations and conflicts it brings up. Not only does it offer a keen look into Husband – Wife relationships – the misunderstandings, the comparison of father-Daughters perceptive – the role of education in uplifting the working class, queer relationships in India, and the (un)importance of blood relation.Every scene of movie unveil a secret in the family which keeps the audience tight to the screen. The emotions are rightly placed and the music by Sachin warrier has filled the gap with serenity.

In the unsaid chaos and struggle between the family members, the director of the movie Ganesh raj in his Second directorial outing has also added some pinch of patriarchy, sexism in some scenes.
Pookkaalam is a complete package of a family movie. it has emotions, love, twist and turns.

The husband – wife duo played by two charismatic actors Vijaya raghavan and KPAC Leela is a good watch. KPAC Leela is elegantly personified as the progressive matriarch. She effortlessly charms her way through to the audience’s heart. She is brilliant in both the lighter and emotional bits.All the characters in the family were perfectly cast. All performed well. Among the extended family, Annu Antony is brilliant as grand daughter. Basil Joseph, Vineeth Srinivasan, and Johnny Antony Trio scored in comedy scenes. Not surprisingly, it is Vijaya raghavan and KPAC Leela who hold the proceedings.

Bottomline

A Feel Good Family Entertainer!!!

3.5/5