Saiju Govinda Kurup headlined two films this year. Gunda Jayan was the first of the two (Antakshari being the second). Directed by Arun Vaiga, this comic caper is reminiscent of Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, but it ultimately isn't with an insane number of twists.
Jayan has retired as a Gunda and is now busy fixing an alliance for his niece despite her objection. But come wedding day, an unusual set of events seem to derail the entire occasion.
Saiju Kurup is one of my favourite actors right now. His range is extensive. His recently released Antakshari was astounding! His versatility knows no bounds. Playing an aging goon is a worthy addition to his list of memorable characters. But the buck stops there because nothing else falls in place (as one would expect). The dialogues aren't witty and clever enough. Films such as these hinge on them especially when the cast includes comic stalwarts such as Johny Antony (reduced to a creep), Sabumon Abdusamad, Hareesh Kanaran, Jaffar Idukki, Siju Wilson, Shabare Esh, Sudheer Karamana among others.
Nevertheless, the twists in the second half make up for the rather disjointed plot. Watching Saiju Kurup's Jayan in a predicament was entertainment enough for me. A light hearted story about misadventures at a wedding.
