Abhilasham review: A charming Saiju Kurup takes us back to old-school romance but it might not be for the best

Abhilasham plot

During his school days in the early 2000s, Abihlash Kumar failed to convey his romantic feelings to Sherin. Years later, she returns to her hometown, but now, as a widow with a daughter. Will Abhilash be finally able to confess his love to her?

Abhilasham review

Vineeth Sreenivasan had romanticised the Thattamitta penkutty (girls wearing headscarf) in his Thattathin Marayathu, where Vinod was head over heels in love with Ayisha and would do anything to win over her.

Much like Nivin Pauly-starrer Thattathin Marayathu, our hero in the 2025 Abhilasham is smitten with Thattamitta Sherin but misses the bus not once, but many times, and appears to be stuck in the 2000s. As Abhilash colludes with his friend advocate Ajesh Alappatt and the elderly Bavukka over how to finally confess his love to Sherin, a Gen Z youth quips, 'Why not just ask her directly?' 

This one question is what keeps popping up in the viewer’s mind while watching the movie, which is fully centered around this plot point, even as the advocate friend comes up with an outlandish idea that allows Abhilash to spend quality time with Sherin.

While it is heartening to see tales from small towns in Kerala with mostly good-hearted people, Abhilasham takes it a step further with the hero, probably in his late 30s, employing techniques that were common features in the movies during the 1990s and even in the 2000s. We even get a Hindi and Tamil short version of Nenjinullil Neeyanu Fathima, a music album that was quite the rage during the 2000s.

With Abhilasham, we are once again taken back to school campuses, the nostalgia of ink pens, handwritten love letters and crystal attar bottles. Relationships between family members, neighbours and townspeople across religion and class differences are also beautifully woven into the narrative.

Writer Jenith Kachappilly and the director pack most of the goody stuff in Abhilasham with a plot that tries to stay light-hearted, but sadly, offers anything new.

The biggest strength of the movie is Saiju Kurup who once again is at his charming best in Abhilasham. The Jai Mahendran actor makes us believe in Abhilash even when his course of action looks childish and questionable at times. Some of his quirks, like being faint-hearted and as one who is easily frightened, are a passing reference that all seem to have been included to justify his inability to confess his love.

Tanvi Ram, who has featured in Mukundan Unni Associates and even the Telugu film KA, is convincing as Sherin. As it is Abhilash’s story, we only get to see Sherin as how he sees her. With Sherin, the makers have made it a point to break several stereotypes, but only allow her to be a living person during the end bits.

Arjun Ashokan plays the lively Taju, whose entry further complicates Abhilash’s pursuit. The role is hardly a challenge to Arjun Ashokan, who has previously impressed as Deepu from Super Sharanya. Most of the support cast is played by a likeable cast, including Uma KP, Navas Vallikunnu, Neeraja Rajendran and Nimna Fathoomi. But Binu Pappu, who is now hogging much limelight for Mohanlal-starrer Thudarum, hardly has anything to do as Sherin's brother.

Sreehari K Nair’s soothing background score also adds to the film’s pleasant tone. Among the songs, the track Khalbinnakame, sung by Mohammed Maqbool Mansoor, also leaves a mark. Shamzu Zayba, who previously made Maniyarayile Ashokan, paints mostly a pleasant picture with Abhilasham, but if only the plot had taken a more convincing route, we would have got a film worth rooting for.

Abhilasham verdict

If you are among those who rue the brutality of the likes of Marco, Abhilasham can come across as a relief. If a light-hearted movie with some likeable characters is what you want to watch this weekend, then Saiju Kurup’s Abhilasham might be your ideal option despite its shortcomings.

Abhilasham is streaming on Amazon Prime Video and Manorama Max