Bramayugam

One of the epic movies by Mammootty. The great actor Mammootty is like a wine that gets stronger with age. Everyone else, including Arjun Ashoka, has acted well. It can be said that Bharamayugam is definitely a must-watch movie. What sets Mammootty apart from other stars is the way he chooses movies. His finesse in story selection has been evident for some time now. It can be said that the director has made this movie for us in such a way that we even forget that we are watching the movie on a black-and-white screen. Watch this movie with the confidence of not being afraid. Because when the movie is over, others will understand the fear in your eyes.

Bramayugam is truly an intense cinematic experience! It's the kind of film that stays with you long after the credits roll. I was riveted to my seat until the very end, captivated by both "The Beginning" and the hypnotic closure, "The Age of Madness." Even now, as I step out of the theater, i still feel like im stuck inside the eerie confines of Bramayugam's secluded mansion buzzing with emotions. It's fantastic to see the public embracing this messed up film.

Only Mammootty can acheive this feat on a godfarsaken mansion (pun not intended), we as an audiece are in company of Kondamon Potti shouldered by the megastar which is a masterclass in controlled chaos. He's joined by his ever-watchful caretaker (Siddharth Bharathan) and a runaway singer (Arjun Ashokan) seeking refuge. Their disparate personalities intertwine beneath the fragile veil of horror, revealing hidden depths and simmering tensions. Also an important decision was give to up on color. Either they wanted to strengthen the effect of isolation, or it helps to throw brownie points for gloomy atmosphere, or it is a tribute to the cinema of the first half of the last century, whether color distracts from what is happening and prevents you from focusing on the most important. There is a feeling that all these points combined led to this style for the successful and a brave attempt in Malayalam industry accentuated with some killer score by Christo Xavier and sound design by Jayadevan Chakkadath.

The film's horror DNA is meticulously woven, drawing upon the chilling atmospheres of classic era of Hollywood, especially the Hammer films, there is some unsettling surrealism of Gaillo, and the contemporary anxieties explored by A24 catalogue. This layered approach creates a hauntingly original experience using the local folklore. Theatricality of action unfolds in the minimum of scenery - the Mansion house, the courtyard territory, blown by all the winds, and, through the tunnel, the sacred path to the bewitching climax.

Megastar Mammookka's current filmogrpahy is really one of his best, if not the best. His frightening laughter, the expression on his face, his level of commitment - this role has no equal, unless of course the 'Devil' himself. He deserves to be in the nomination for every freaking best actor award across the globe. In the finale, Mammoty is so twisted with a battle, illuminated for a more sinister look and the camera statically shows only his face and mouth. In this moment, we as an audience experiences a range of emotions: anger, surprise, a little horror, disgust. All these emotions are visible and caught and this is not done for the sake of aesthetic buffoonery.

Final thoughts, this is no popcorn flick. The film's unhurried pace, akin to a slow burn, might test some viewers patience. But for those willing to surrender to confront the darkness, a powerful payoff awaits as the second half explodes with surreal imagery and shocking revelations.

This Malayalam film is a bold attempt to delve into the depths of Kerala's mythological lore. Shot entirely in black and white, the film creates a stark and eerie atmosphere that complements the chilling narrative.

The film's cinematography is a character in itself. The black and white palette is employed with masterful precision, creating a haunting and atmospheric visual language. The stark contrast and shadows add depth to the narrative, heightening the sense of isolation and dread. The choice to shoot in black and white is a bold one, but it pays off handsomely, elevating the film's horror elements

The story unfolds at a leisurely pace, building suspense through its atmospheric storytelling. Arjun Ashokan delivers a commendable performance as the protagonist, capturing the character's fear and vulnerability.

Mammootty's performance in Bramayugam is nothing short of exceptional. His portrayal of Kodumon Potti is a masterclass in understated menace. The actor completely disappears into the character, embodying the eerie aura surrounding the enigmatic old man.

Mammootty's screen presence is magnetic. His every gesture, every look, carries a weight of sinister intent. His character is shrouded in mystery, and the actor skillfully maintains this air of ambiguity throughout the film. Whether it's his chilling laughter, his predatory gaze, or his subtle manipulations, Mammootty's portrayal is a standout.

The film's greatest strength lies in its ability to evoke a sense of dread and unease. The use of sound design and background score is masterful, creating a haunting soundscape that amplifies the horror. The cinematography is exceptional, capturing the bleakness of the setting and the characters' isolation.

While the film's pacing might be slow for some viewers, it contributes to the overall atmosphere of dread. The ending is open to interpretation, leaving a lasting impact on the audience.

*Bramayugam* is a refreshing departure from the typical horror fare, offering a thought-provoking and chilling experience. It's a film that demands attention and rewards patient viewing.

Bramayugam starring Mammootty in the lead role. Also starring Arjun Ashokan and Siddharth Bharatan

Directed by Rahul Sadasivan.

*** A horror mystery set to convey the evil side of Rulership ***

Set in the period of the 17th Century where black magic, lust for power, control was in extreme, Bramayugam creates a world of the power vests in the hand of the evil & how the helpless society falls prey into this gamble of dominance.

As the whole movie set in Black and White, for me the impression was it was unambiguous of the dominance of the superior over the downtrodden.

Performance wise what we thought was completely different of the characterization of the megastar Mammootty. The thirst for acting has never ended and that's clearly being noticed in each frame of his. The cruelty of the character was very well absorbed by him and that's why he is the Kulapathy of the Malayalam Film Industry.

Another note worthy performance of Arjun Ashokan. The career graph of Arjun will escalate here onwards.. Siddharth Bharatan also gave a fitting performance.

The songs set back in the 17th century was pleasing. BGM added the horror mode.

Overall a purely experimental movie but with the good technical work and class performers Bramayugam sets a new benchmark for the upcoming horror jonor movies in Malayalam Film Industry.

Attempting a big-budget black-and-white horror movie in Malayalam itself is laudable. But using it to unleash the devilish side of Mammootty is where this movie really shines. As expected, Mammootty hit it out of the park. In films like this and Rorschach, we can see that the devilish side is used in a way that is so powerful but also charismatic in a way only he can do. We are in awe and horror of the deeds but also can't help but love it. And the director knows this, so the framing and music also evoke the same. Here, the story itself is pretty simple and uses an exposition sequence to fill in all the blanks. So, it's the atmosphere created and the performances that really carries the movie. Thematically there are a lot of obvious aspects to it but it felt like the focus on certain things could have made more impact instead of spelling everything out. Besides Mammootty, Sidharth Bharathan surprised me with his performance. The production design and some detailing in makeup were all fabulously intricate. Editing on the whole felt not as good as all the other technical aspects, as there were many moments where it felt like it disrupted the flow rather than immersing us. The black and white cinematography worked well but I wish they played with it more. Rather than just the usual black and white, the use of some darker black and whiter white etc would've been great, but that's just my opinion. Overall, it's an incredible attempt at folklore horror rooted in Kerala mythology, even though I do think there was some room for improvement.

The fans association people were celebrating with a bandset and everything at the end, so the repetition of a dialogue at the end of the credits wasn't completely audible but that was a really nice way to end the movie.