Mindiyum Paranjum OTT review: Unni Mukundan, Aparna Balamurali’s film has the endearing charm of a short story

Mindiyum Paranjum review: The relatable narrative and charming performances of Unni Mukundan and Aparna Balamurali keep the proceedings engaging, even when the film threatens to overstay its welcome.

Mindiyum Paranjum movie review

Mindiyum Paranjum

Mindiyum Paranjum movie plot: Leena lives alone in a house in the high ranges of Kerala, while her husband Sanal works in the Gulf. Sanal is finally coming back home, much to the elation of Leena, even if it is only for a few days. But will the rain play spoilsport?

Mindiyum Paranjum movie review: The title of the Malayalam movie Mindiyum Paranjum means chit-chat, but when it is between a couple separated by miles of distance, it takes on a more endearing charm. The film plays out mostly like a conversational drama between Sanal and Leena, who are always hooked to their phones, trying to hold on to their partners’ lives from different parts of the world. Unlike the more recent Ithiri Neram of Roshan Mathew and Zarin Shihab, which was also a conversational drama mostly unfolding over a night, the couple in Mindiyum Paranjum do not stop to have the conversation as they are always on the go.

Also read: Ithiri Neram Review: A plot led by Roshan Mathew-Zarin Shihab brings back memories of lost love

Director Arun Bose, who debuted with Tovino Thomas and Ahaana Krishna’s Luca in 2019, takes time to build the atmosphere of the movie, where dark clouds are always looming.

It is not a metaphorical reference but literally the heavy rain that at least some parts of Kerala have begun to fear after the massive 2018 floods, which could play a spoilsport to the small, yet loveable lives of our lead pair. Leena, who once survived a huge tragedy due to nature's wrath, is left worried as the rain pours down and she awaits for her husband to return.

The film, which begins with the ‘Mindiyum Paranjum’ between the couple, takes us back and forth through their journey in relationship - the proposal, family resistance and union - but not necessarily in that order. Most of the dramatic events like a parent’s demise or an Alaipayuthey-like union are not explicitly portrayed, but the lingering effect is more than enough to convey what would have happened and the character’s mindframe at the point.

Director Arun Bose has also penned the story along with his Luca co-writer Mridul George and they have done a commendable job of keeping the narrative flowing, mostly with conversations and non-linear flashbacks.

A simple romantic tale, there are no lofty ambitions or overly dramatic moments here. The film, which begins with a quote by the renowned author O Henry, could be what a short story presented as a feature film would appear.

The film is said to have wrapped up shooting in 2022, but got a theatrical release only for Christmas 2025. Despite that the film does not come across as dated, as the realities and the emotions of the people continue to stay true.

Though the characters grow on you, what works against the film is also its slow pacing. Sooraj S Kurup has composed the music, and his background score is soothing and elevating in key scenes and is a constant companion throughout the narrative. However, the song Neeye Nenjil, though pleasant, doesn’t add much to the narrative. We get more charming scenes between the couple, but that is well established and looks misplaced in the later half of the film.

Minidyum Paranjum was shot before the macho movie Marco released in 2024 and elevated Unni Mukundan to the status of an action superstar. Unni Mukundan is completely at ease as the ordinary youth Sanal, who loves his wife even as he seeks to build a better life for them. Aparna Balamurali too effortlessly slips into Leena, coming with a no-makeup appearance and embodying the everydayness of life in the Idukki hills. Jaffer Idukki, who also played a father in Aparna’s earlier film Maheshinte Prathikaaram, brings the quiet concern and care of a father in this movie. Actor-filmmaker Jude Anthany Joseph, the director of the film 2018 which was based on the Kerala floods, plays that 3am-phone-call buddy that almost all couples looking to elope seem to have. But for them, there are not many other characters in the film, nor does the narrative require any more artistes to narrate its simplistic tale.

Mindiyum Paranjum movie verdict: The relatable narrative and rooted characters keep the proceedings engaging, even when the film threatens to overstay its welcome. The Arun Bose film would be the equivalent of sitting with a book of short stories on a quiet evening.

Mindiyum Paranjum is streaming on SunNXT via OTTplay Premium

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Cast and Crew

Unni Mukundan

Aparna Balamurali

Jude Anthany Joseph

Shiva Hariharan

Maala Parvathi

Sohan Seenulal