Pranaya Vilasam

Pranaya Vilasam, meaning "abode of love," transcends the typical romantic narrative. It's a heartwarming tapestry woven with threads of love stories unfolding across generations. Director Nirav Shah crafts a tender film that explores love's multifaceted nature, from the youthful spark of first love to the enduring companionship of long-term relationships.

The film delicately balances romance and drama. We witness Suraj (Manoj K. U.), a middle-aged man, grappling with the discovery of his deceased mother's secret diary. The diary unveils a past love story, forcing Suraj to confront his own strained relationship with his father, Achuthan (Hakkim Shah). While these revelations bring a tinge of sadness, the film doesn't dwell on grief. Instead, it uses humor as a poignant coping mechanism. The lighthearted banter and bonding moments between Suraj and his friends provide comic relief, preventing the narrative from becoming overly sentimental.

Pranaya Vilasam boasts an ensemble cast, each character contributing a unique melody to the film's emotional symphony. However, the narrative primarily revolves around the senior characters, reminiscent of films like "Anuraga Karikkin Vellam." There's a certain charm in witnessing seasoned actors like Hakkim Shah and Shalini portray the complexities of love that blossoms and endures over time. Their portrayal is a stark contrast to the youthful romance of Rajeevan (Arjun Ashokan) and his college sweetheart, played by Anaswara Rajan. This generational shift in love stories prompts the audience to contemplate how societal expectations and personal experiences shape our understanding of love.

The film's success hinges on its genuine portrayal of human connection. The characters aren't flawless heroes and heroines, but rather individuals seeking closure and forging new bonds. The exploration of a father-son relationship strained by unspoken emotions resonates deeply. As Suraj delves into his mother's past, he begins to understand his father in a new light, paving the way for reconciliation and acceptance.

It might not be a film with high-octane drama or action sequences. Its strength lies in its quiet sincerity. The beauty lies in the relatable characters, the humorous interludes that punctuate emotional moments, and the exploration of love's enduring power. It's a film that lingers in your thoughts, prompting you to cherish the various forms of love that enrich our lives.

Malayalam movies are known for their rooted characters and strong storylines, but this one, despite having almost all these elements, failed to make an impact.

It tells the story of a family where the son is having an affair and the father is flirting with his ex. Unfortunately, when the mother dies, the son and father discover that she had a love affair in her youth, and they venture out to find that man.

The story had a lot going on and was quite relatable too. It is a classic case of too many cooks spoiling the broth. Director Nikhil Muraly tried to show multiple things, which actually made viewers disconnect from the narrative. The story could have focused on one of the story - the son's love story, the father rekindling his old love in his later years, or their journey to find their deceased mother's first love.

Arjun Ashokan is decent overall but is really bad when it comes to emotional sequences. Manoj KU, as the father, has given an excellent performance and deserves more substantial roles in the future. Mamitha Baiju, as a happy-go-lucky girl, does a good job but has limited screen time. Anaswara, a mediocre actor, doesn't do anything notable even in a small role. Mia, in an extended role, is good with her part.

There are enough songs, but only "Megham Poothu Thudangi" stands out and deserves a place in your playlist; the rest are forgettable. The cinematography is nice, capturing the essence and beauty of Kannur and village life quite well.

With more work on the script, it had the potential to be a classic movie, but it failed to make a significant impact. Watch it as a time-pass, otherwise, you aren't missing much.

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I haven't come out of the movie till now, I am still stuck in the character, especially, Vinod. It's was such a feel good movie.it was so light hearted in the beginning, later on we are indulged in a journey which goes through different emotional rollercoaster. We will imagine it to be a cliche, but it turns out to be something else. Kudos to the director who have executed it so well. The father so relationship with the mother sandwiched between them, how the dynamics change later on, how to deal with certain situations, there are so many such incidences. It is a matured story where sometimes we see our own reflection in the characters.

What a class act. The core storyline is a fresh new perspective, something that I've not seen before in any other movie. Let's start with its core. At the heart of this film lies a narrative that is daringly original and invigoratingly refreshing. So, if you think you've seen it all, think again. This is not just another movie; it is a ground-breaking odyssey that dares to tread where others haven't. Every twist and turn in the storyline is a masterstroke of creativity, challenging conventional wisdom and presenting viewers with a fresh perspective that will remain etched in their minds long after the credits roll. There are moments that defy expectations, scenes that will make your heart race, and revelations that will leave you gasping for breath.

But what truly sets this film apart from the myriad others is the evident passion and meticulous craftsmanship behind it. Every detail, no matter how minute, has been painstakingly curated. It's apparent in the evocative score that accentuates the narrative's highs and lows, the impeccable cinematography that captures every emotion with unerring precision, and the nuanced performances that breathe life into the characters, making them resonate deeply with audiences.

Pranaya Vilasam (2023) is a beautiful and refreshing take on the first love category. The movies features the three love stories focusing on the father, mother and son in the family. Characters are relatable and the interactions between family members are realistic. The dynamic between father and son is especially compelling. Manoj K as the father plays a very genuine and realistic character who is nostalgic about meeting his first love after twenty or something years.

The story changes drastically after an important plot point in the first half of the movie. The climax is quite unpredictable which is a rare in the romance genre. All the actors have done quite well in their respective roles.

Music by Shaan Rahman is beautiful and enhances the quality of the movie significantly. The cinematography is also very gorgeous and well done.