Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira movie review: Fahadh Faasil, Lal can’t quite rein in this uneven, offbeat comedy

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira movie review: Despite flashes of quirky brilliance and strong turns from Fahadh and Lal, the film never quite finds its saddle, leaving you amused but only in spurts.

Poster of Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira story: On his wedding day, Aby falls off a horse and slips into a coma. When he finally wakes up, a chain of bizarre events he isn’t prepared for awaits him. In the process of making sense of it all, with the help of his oddball father, he also begins to rediscover himself.

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira review: Fahadh Faasil has had a strange relationship with quirky comedies. Both Monsoon Mangoes and Natholi Oru Cheriya Meenalla — despite the actor and filmmakers’ attempt to break new ground in the genre within Malayalam cinema — found little support from audiences, at least during their theatrical runs. It’s probably why, while watching director Althaf Salim’s Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira — which swings between slapstick and deadpan humour — you are often reminded of these two films, more for Fahadh’s effort than the movie’s tone or storytelling.

Althaf, who previously helmed the quirky comedy-drama Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela has already proved he has a knack for addressing serious issues through oddball humour. In his sophomore venture, he tackles the matters of the mind, primarily revolving around Aby, who has just emerged from a coma, and his dysfunctional family: an insensitive, selfish brother and a father still grappling with the grief of losing his wife too soon.

The movie delves into themes of depression, suicidal thoughts, and grief, but Althaf offsets the darkness of his characters’ minds with vibrant, absurd situations and eclectic visual tones. Take, for instance, the attire Aby chooses on the day he plans to end his life, to spite his brother’s plan to sell his apartment for profit. Aby picks Christmas Eve, complete with a festive pullover, only for destiny to shine another ray of hope through a character in the opposite flat with the same intention. His deadpan reaction: “There’s competition for this too?”

It’s through such quirky humour that Althaf builds Aby’s story, before revealing that he too is lost, much like most of the characters, each grappling with their problems in the only way they know how. These moments are arguably the film’s brightest sparks — in how the filmmaker portrays people enduring depression: sometimes detached, sometimes melodramatic, and sometimes resorting to absurd coping mechanisms. Aby, for instance, tries to save others instead of himself.

Also read: Hridayapoorvam review: A light-hearted Mohanlal entertainer with delightful moments and genuine laughs

But amid these touches, the pace and situations remain uneven. The tone never settles — neither entirely deadpan nor mainstream enough to appeal to all audiences. While the first half offers a few laughs, there’s little emotional depth driving Aby and Nidhi’s (Kalyani Priyadarshan) relationship. In fact, viewers may feel more connected to Revathy (Revathi Pillai) and her neighbour’s breezy romance in the latter half. This is also when the film briefly takes flight, with Lal and Fahadh turning into goofy narrators-cum-schemers. But once that track is resolved, the narrative flattens again, with only occasional blips.

Fahadh portrays Aby as a high-energy character masking his inner conflicts, afraid to confront them head-on. Yet this aspect isn’t fully explored, even by the end. Lal shines as Aby’s father, while Revathi, Suresh Krishna, and Vinay Forrt also deliver notable performances. Kalyani, meanwhile, who is part of another Onam release, Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra doesn’t quite hit the sweet spot here.

Althaf injects the film with plenty of humour, much of which works in sync with the tone and characters. But the inconsistent storytelling prevents it from landing as effectively as it could have. Jinto George’s visuals, Ouseph John’s art direction, and Mashar Hamsa’s costumes, however, ensure Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira remains a colourful feast for the eyes.

Odum Kuthira Chaadum Kuthira verdict: This Fahadh Faasil-starrer never finds its saddle and delivers a bumpy ride — but one odd enough to keep you watching.

Also read: Kalyani Priyadarshan on Fahadh Faasil: ‘He’s insecure enough to keep pushing himself’ | Exclusive

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