Rekhachithram

Set in 2025, Rekhachitram is an investigative alternate history centered on a case from 1985. In films like Talvar, which is rooted in real events, investigations of decades-old crimes are portrayed as extremely challenging. Given that Rekhachitram's case is 40 years old, one would expect a complex, arduous investigation. However, the film surprisingly presents a case that unravels too easily.

Nearly every character connected to the original incident effectively solving it, rather than leaving the breakthrough to officer Vivek. Additionally, the visual presentation feels lacking; instead of introducing fresh character dynamics, most characters appear unchanged from their 1985 depictions.

I would say, Kishkindha Kaandam has better representation. Go watch it. Then compare with rekhachitram 😀.

Very highly rated and highly anticipated. It's finally out and.......was unfortunately a let down for me.

The film has done something spectacular and new which, I have a feeling, connects differently with the Mollywood audience, especially the regular movie watchers. Without spoilers, there are references to...some big names in the industry, present and past, that may go over your head - which takes away from the experience that the film wants all its watchers to have. I wish I'd lowkey spoiled the film for myself so that I watched it with context but...ah well.

That said, the one thing that I did catch had me like "Wait, no way they did that. How did they....? Oh. Interesting." That's sadly my only highlight from the film because the plot overall is very predictable. How the weave the plot with real life Mollywood, I think, was the USP. As long as you know enough to catch the novelty in this film, (Y) If you can't, because you didn't have any context, which I didn't, this might be a let down, even though the film is a blockbuster hit in Kerala. All that said, what a few months has Asif Ali had. Thalavan, Kishkindha Kaandam, and now this. Good for him!

I'd encourage you to watch the film anyway, to support the effort, but just tame your expectations if you haven't watched a lot of Malayalam movies, especially the old ones.

Rekhachithram (2025) is a compelling Malayalam mystery thriller directed by Jofin T. Chacko. The narrative centers on CI Vivek Gopinath, portrayed by Asif Ali, a police officer reinstated after a suspension due to gambling issues. Assigned to the tranquil Malakkappara station, Vivek's routine is disrupted when Rajendran (Siddique) publicly confesses to a decades-old crime before committing suicide. This revelation leads Vivek to investigate the 1985 disappearance of Rekha Pathrose (Anaswara Rajan) from the film set of Kathodu Kathoram. The film intricately weaves past and present, blending real and fictional elements to craft a gripping narrative. Asif Ali delivers a standout performance, capturing Vivek's complexity and determination. Anaswara Rajan's portrayal of Rekha adds depth to the story, while the supporting cast, including Manoj K. Jayan and Indrans, enrich the film's texture. The cinematography by Appu Prabhakar beautifully captures the serene yet mysterious ambiance of Malakkappara. Rekhachithram is a must-watch for fans of intricate storytelling and stellar performances.

This is the first time I am seeing such a movie in Indian Cinema . To tell the flashbacks, AI was used perfectly well. But the screenplay is a let down at multiple places .. Performance of Siddique, Anaswara Rajan and lot many new comers are superb. The flashbacks scenes and the artwork for those scenes are also , aptly made. Overall, I would say , a brilliant story, an outstanding direction, and an average screen play. Songs also could have been better , but background score is good. The editing is also a good one . To point out the downside of screenplay, I would have to put down spoilers, so I am not doing so.

Rekhachithram is an investigation thriller that thrives on a sharp, no-nonsense screenplay but falls victim to its own excesses. The film sets up an intriguing premise, backed by a solid plot and a gripping background score that enhances the tension. However, as the story unfolds, it bombards the audience with too many details and an overload of characters, which ultimately dilutes the impact of the investigation. Instead of keeping viewers on the edge of their seats, it leads them down an overly complex path, making the final revelation feel more expected than shocking.

While the film is undoubtedly crafted with precision, its obsession with intricacy works against it. The saying "less is more" perfectly applies here, had the narrative been more streamlined, the thrill factor could have been significantly higher. Despite its shortcomings, Rekhachithram remains a stylish, one-time watch that keeps you engaged, even if it doesn't leave a lasting impression. It may be a bit overrated, but it's not entirely forgettable.