Ponman

A movie about dowry like never before, with so much social commentary that doesn't feel preachy - only Mollywood can do this. Will Akshay Kumar remake...?

This film was terrific from an acting standpoint. I didn't expect Sajin Gopu (Ambaan from Avesham) to play a grey shade role this convincingly, dude's convey a fear that you wouldn't expect from Avesham. Lijomol Jose and the support characters were good, but this was a Basil Joseph show.

The film questions the pressure on a family for gold as dowry. Madilyil Jewelry - lol. Apparently it's a thing...? Lijomol's Steffi starts off as a certain character, undergoes a transformation that makes you want to support but also not, at the same time. You want to blame everybody but you see why they do what they do...there are so many layers to this film that you can keep discussing but everything seems subtle.

All that said, I dunno why I was expecting another Jaya Hey or a humorous film but I suppose it's not fair to expect that from all Basil movies. Regardless, this was totally worth the watch and will surely make it to Mollywood's top 10 films of the year.

Ponman kicks off with an energetic track that immediately sets the tone for the film. Based on the phrase "Kollam kandaal Illam venda," the song beautifully captures the essence and spirit of Kollam, showcasing its rich landscapes and culture. A vibrant tribute to the region-Kerala Tourism, take note!

At its core, Ponman tells the story of a family struggling to get their daughter married amidst steep dowry expectations. Enter PP Ajesh-the Ponman (gold guy) - who arranges gold for such families, ensuring they either pay him back in cash or return the gold if things don't work out. What starts as a simple transaction quickly spirals into an intense, gripping journey when things don't go as planned.

But Ponman isn't just about its setting - it's about sheer perseverance, conviction, and the courage to take risks when the stakes are high. Basil Joseph delivers one of his finest performances, shedding his usual comedic persona to embody a character driven by sheer willpower. His raw energy, sharp dialogues (deeply rooted in Kollam's colloquial slang), and fearless attitude make Ajesh a compelling protagonist. He takes on challenges that even seasoned players would hesitate to tackle, and that relentless drive is the heartbeat of this film.

Sajin Gopu's Mariano is a character who invokes both fear and intrigue. A tyrant in his own right, he commands authority, and his presence alone unsettles those around him. Yet beneath this tough exterior, the film subtly explores the weight of responsibility he carries as the breadwinner of his family. This layered portrayal adds depth to the film, making Mariano more than just an imposing figure.

Anand Manmadhan's Bruno is another standout - his blind faith in party loyalty, only to face bitter disappointment, is a subtle yet striking reflection of workplace and political dynamics. Lijomol Jose as Steffi plays her part well, portraying a woman unafraid to take a stand for what she doesn't want in her life. Sandhya Rajendran, as the mother, brings an emotional touch, portraying the helplessness of a parent caught in societal pressures.

Ponman is a film about ordinary people showing extraordinary resilience. With a solid storyline, raw intensity, and brilliant performances, it grips you from start to finish. A compelling watch that stays with you long after the credits roll.

The Matters this movie dealing is not new in movies ; but the way it is presented with a character Arc of Basil Joseph 's Ajesh character is the Entertaining Difference ,the way he is dealing with all the problems is the Highlights of this movie !

Collectively Good Performance from all the actors ! Strong roles for both Sajin Gopu & Lijo mol Jose !

This movie truly belong to Basil Joseph ;Intense performance; one of his Best role !

Excellent making from all the Crew , special mention to Editor nidhin raj arol ; Perfect cut for a Impactful Experience !

Go to nearest cinemas : impressive Basil Joseph is waiting to Deliver a Powerful message !

Let's start with the positive aspects of the film. In terms of performances, everyone delivered a solid act, especially Basil and Sajin Gopu. Anand, who played the character of Bruno, and Sandhya Rajendran, who played the mother, also stood out with their performances. Another highlight was Justin Varghese's music, which I personally enjoyed.

Speaking about the story, the film is based on Indugopan's novel Nalanju Cheruppakkar, and for a debut directorial attempt by Jyothish Shankar, it has been executed quite well.

Now, if there are positives, there will naturally be some negatives too. When adapting a novel into a film, certain cinematic elements need to be added to enhance the experience. However, this film feels like an exact translation of the novel, which is why the second half felt a bit underwhelming. As an audience, we expect certain developments, but they never materialize.

For example, the conflict between Basil and Sajin Gopu's characters regarding Ponnu was left unresolved. Another instance is the mention of Thalavettichira, which initially created fear and intrigue but ultimately amounted to nothing. These elements, if developed better, could have elevated the film.

The climax, too, could have used a bit more intensity and depth. If some additional dramatic elements were included, the film could have been a perfect package.

That being said, it's still worth a watch. These are purely my personal opinions, and others may have a different perspective.

This is one of those films that make me appreciate it more and more as I think about it. Films related to issues surrounding dowry are nothing new in Malayalam cinema but the honesty, subtlety, and nuance this movie showed is truly outstanding. Initially, I was surprised to learn that the novella this is based on was named 4-5 Cheruppakkar, because if it is about dowry, why is the name talking about young men like that? But the movie really showed why it is, even though it's more about two men and a woman. The way the so-called culture of patriarchy that is so ingrained in society makes the evils of such a system a question of survival for the working-class people has never been portrayed with such honesty. All three main characters are incredibly written and performed. Even when Sajin Gopu's "villain" character is clearly doing something wrong, we are made to understand why a person who is proud of his hard work is resorting to it and also paints a picture of why he's living as an intimidating character to everyone.

Basil Joseph has been having great success as an actor in the last few years but this is one of his best performances. Ajesh's self-confidence is his desperation for survival, and however weird people may find it, this is the kind of character I always wanted to become. Have conviction in your decisions and go to any lengths for it even if everything looks impossible. The way he's able to stand tall in front of both physical and emotional blackmail and yet show enough empathy and sympathy where it counts makes it impossible to not root for the character after a point.

I loved how it ended with such half-direct dialogues where the implications were clear and yet was able to maintain the mood and style of the film.