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Ponman movie review: Basil Joseph, Lijomol and Sajin Gopu embody the struggles and strengths of the underdogs

Ponman movie review: With strong performances by Basil Joseph, Lijomol, and Sajin Gopu, the film focuses on resilience in adversity.

3.5/5rating
Ponman movie review: Basil Joseph, Lijomol and Sajin Gopu embody the struggles and strengths of the underdogs
Basil Joseph and Lijomol in a still from Ponman

Last Updated: 03.05 PM, Jan 30, 2025

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Ponman review: Aided by some great writing and performances, Ponman is packed with cinematic moments that aren’t showcased by how big the mounting of the scene is, but through the ordeals of its characters.

Ponman story: Gold dealer Ajesh lends 25 sovereigns to Bruno’s family for the marriage of the latter’s sister Steffi, under the promise that he would take all the money gifted to the bride for the wedding. But after the family falls short, Ajesh is forced to contend with Steffi’s husband Mariyano, a criminal who has his own reasons for hoarding the gold.

Basil Joseph in Ponman
Basil Joseph in Ponman

Ponman review: In several scenes of art director-turned-filmmaker Jothish Shankar’s debut film Ponman, actor Basil Joseph’s character Ajesh, a gold lender, is shown as a fighter – full of resilience and heart. Even when he decides to enter a notorious inland island group, save a man from killing himself, or even not blaming others for the trouble he ends up in, Ajesh’s personality mirrors that of a superhero. Yet he is just a common man, who belongs to a family that is struggling to make ends meet. His goal, no matter how selfish it might seem, eventually is just to protect his reputation; and this means fighting against all odds, trusting himself to come through.

This is what makes Jothish’s aptly titled film live up to its name; despite its central characters being underdogs, they try to fight at every chance that life gives, to get out of the dirt and grime.

The film, set in Kollam, is based on GR Indugopan’s Nalanchu Cheruppakarar. It revolves around gold dealer Ajesh, who lends 25 sovereigns to Steffy (Lijomol) for her wedding. But after the latter fails to return the gold, he has to contend with her imposing and ruthless husband Mariyano (Sajin Gopu). It’s not an easy task for Ajesh and Steffy, or even Mariyano – as all of them have their own reasons for holding on to the gold.

Lijomol in a still from Ponman
Lijomol in a still from Ponman

This is what makes Jothish’s craft shine in his debut film. Aided by some great writing by Indugopan and Justin Mathew, Ponman is packed with cinematic moments that aren’t showcased by how big the mounting or staging of the scene is, but through the ordeals of the three central characters. The movie, at just over two hours, has hardly any flab and doesn’t waste any time trying to appear bigger than what it is. Each scene is precise and the director lets the performances of the actors magnify the impact.

Justin Mathew’s score keeps this rooted-to-reality film firmly grounded, while Sanu John Varghese’s frames don’t linger anywhere longer than required. Jothish, an art director himself, makes use of the film’s coastal and island settings to showcase the grit and resilience of those trying to eke out a living.

Sajin Gopu in a still from Ponman
Sajin Gopu in a still from Ponman

While Indugopan’s Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, which was adapted from Amminipillai Vettu Case, was arguably viewed as a squandered opportunity, Jothish ensures that Ponman stays true to the subject, by giving it a compelling on-screen version. A lot of this credit also goes to the tone and the performances of its actors. The makers seem to be aware that the ending is predictable and hence try to flesh out its characters more. Some of these sequences do come at the cost of slowing it down, but when the exchanges between Ajesh and the three characters of Bruno (Anand Manmadhan), Steffi, and Mariyano work, they are well worth the wait.

Basil continues to surprise viewers with his evolution as an actor, especially in serious roles. His portrayal in Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham is grossly underrated among the several hits he has been part of lately, but with Ajesh, he rises a notch higher, in terms of how deftly he can play such characters. There’s humor, strength, and poignance in his portrayal in Ponman. Sajin is a mirror opposite to Ajesh; he is a man of few words and more intimidation than heart. And yet during the conversation between Ajesh and Mariyano, you would feel both characters, bringing that extra layer to the latter’s character rather than just relegating him as a brute of a husband.

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Lijomol also plays Steffi with a certain balance; her coyness while with her mother, her outburst against her brother, her fear and apprehension of her husband and his family, and the eventual strength she borrows from Ajesh – all are portrayed beautifully by the actress in Ponman. Anand Manmadhan, Sandhya Rajendran, Jaya Kurup, and Deepak Parambol also play memorable parts in the film, which showcases the strength and struggles of the financially struggling in the society.

Ponman verdict: Jothish Shankar makes a confident debut in this drama that has a lot of heart. Basil Joseph, Lijomol, and Sajin Gopu’s performances along with a compelling screenplay make this a great addition to a splendid start of 2025 for Malayalam cinema.

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