Fahadh Faasil's Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum: The must-watch Malayalam movie on OTT this week

If you have not already watched Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, you are missing out on a massive dose of feel-good entertainment. The Malayalam filmmakers have perfected the art of making charming, uplifting, and uproariously funny dramas. Our lives would be a little brighter and more enjoyable if we get to watch one movie like Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, at least once a month. 

In Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum, as the title suggests, our hero Pachu (an amazing Fahadh Faasil) chances upon a genie lamp in the form of a 71-year-old Laila, a wonderful Viji Venkatesh. Laila exudes the spirit of a rebellious teenager, defying the wishes of her grumpy yet affluent son, Riyas (memorably performed by Vineeth). The relationship dynamic changes between the mother and son as Riyas behaves like an overconcerned father attempting to protect his adventurous and impulsive daughter by confining her within the confines of their home. . While Riyas is not inherently malicious, his relentless pursuit of wealth has caused him to disconnect from his inner child, leading to a disposition of sullenness, self-centeredness, and apathy.

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Prasanth aka Pachu runs an Ayurvedic pharmacy in Mumbai and he's an ambitious but lovelorn man. His attempts to find love through the traditional channels of arranged marriage haven't been a pleasant experience and also become a main source of comedy in the movie. Like Riyas, Pachu is driven by a desire for financial success and often fails to extend empathy to those around him. Unwittingly, he plays a key role in upsetting Laila's noble efforts to rescue a girl from a life of a never-ending cycle of ignorance and poverty. And things get interesting when Laila persuades Pachu to step in and complete what she had initially set out to do, adding an intriguing twist to the narrative.

Pachu jumps on the offer because Laila promises to shower him with gifts. Initially motivated by self-interest, Pachu embarks on the rescue mission, gradually finding himself increasingly entangled in the unfolding events. Throughout his involvement, a remarkable transformation takes place within Pachu, as he evolves into a compassionate and brave individual. Pachu was already the most likeable character from the beginning of the movie, unlike Riyas. However, he used his charm to drive his business and increase his income. But, by the end of this journey, he would be a different person, worthy of our admiration and respect. 

The highlight of Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum is the almost flawless writing prowess displayed by debutant filmmaker Akhil Sathyan. Akhil has inherited his father Sathyan Anthikad's strong storytelling sensibilities. If you don't know, Sathyan is known for making comedy dramas that took on the pressing social and political issues of the time (Njan Prakashan, Varavelpu). Akhil has seamlessly embraced and continued the legacy of his father, delivering a cinematic experience that skillfully balances humour and meaningful commentary.

At the heart of this light-hearted drama is the struggle of a young girl who faces a lot of social and cultural resistance to fulfil her academic aspirations. For Nidhi, played by Dhwani Rajesh, to go to school, a few good people should be willing to fight wars and spill blood to ensure she gets her education. Nidhi was one of the lucky ones as there were so many people in her life who cared about her education. But, not every girl could be as lucky as Nidhi or blessed to have a guardian angel like Laila in her life. 

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Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum deals with emotionally heavy subjects with such a remarkable narrative deft. The film tugs at our heartstrings, evoking deep emotions without succumbing to excessive melodrama. It skillfully strikes a delicate balance, allowing its characters to convey their profound sadness, loss, pain, and enduring struggles in a manner that is both dignified and graceful.

And Fahadh Faasil brings the A-game to his performance as a selfish but charming salesman. He steals the show consistently delivering moments of uproarious laughter with seemingly minimal effort. Viji Venkatesh is excellent as the old lady with a heart of a teenager. She brings great dignity to her character. And Malayalam cinema continues to redefine the archetype of a heroine, breaking free from the conventional belief that a woman must adhere to specific beauty standards to be worthy of admiration and attention. With each new film, Malayalam filmmakers challenge the mainstream notion, celebrating the idea that heroines come in all shapes and sizes. You undoubtedly be captivated by Anjana Jayaprakash's Hamsadhwani. But, you won't fall just for her looks, but for her personality that beams with so much light and warmth despite mourning an irreplaceable loss. 

And composer Justin Prabhakaran's score adds more colour and taste to the way we experience this movie. 

If you are a fan of Malayalam cinema, Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum must be on your watchlist this week. And if you haven't explored the realm of Malayalam cinema before, this film will serve as a perfect initiation into its captivating world.

Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum is streaming on Amazon Prime Video.