Manjummel Boys

I don't know where to start. The movie is engaging right from the start to the end. Every actor has performed like there is no tomorrow. I don't want to give anything away but please DO NOT wait for this to come out on OTT. It is a definite theater experience and if you are a malayalee, you will come out walking full of pride because of the quality and depth of this movie's overall production. These are the movies that should be showcased in Cannes and what not.

Entire Manjummel Team - you guys have delivered a masterpiece and thank you giving us the perfect survival thriller. Hollywood - take note!

If a film can be evaluated even on one criteria, Manjummel Boys is one; and that criteria for me is the superb cinematography.

Based on a true story of a disaster that befalls a group of friends. They are mentioned as boys of the village named Manjummel though they look grown up men but act as immaturely as boys in their getting high at a marriage.

They decide to take a holiday trip to Goa but end up in Kodaikanal where they go to explore what is called Guna Cave the name having derived from the title of Kamal Hassan movie.

Here they meet a disaster.

From a boisterous rather loud childish- for-the age bunch, they grow up to the seriousness of the situation. One of the "boys" falls in a crevice and here the drama of survival and rescue and comradery begins. Really superb photography takes over and that is what makes the film immensely watchable.

Director Chidambaram deserves full praise for Manjummel Boys.

The Malayalam movie industry is churning out some really interesting content, and this movie is no exception. Films like this showcase that big budgets, star casts, and exotic locations are not prerequisites for a good movie. Content and content alone are the primary things that matter.

This is a tale of beautiful friendship where a group of friends from Kerala goes on a trip to Guna Caves in Tamil Nadu. The caves have a restricted area for the public, but the boys, being boys, explore that area, and one of them falls into a 900 ft deep pit. It is called The Devil's Kitchen because nobody has ever been pulled out alive. How these friends stand together, going above and beyond to save him from the death trap, is what the story is all about.

Being inspired by a true story, it hits you differently. The screenplay is well-written and keeps you engaged with the narrative. The editing is crisp, keeping the pace of the movie quite fast with not a dull moment at all. A standout scene was when they use their tug-of-war skills to untie a knot. It was sheer brilliance in writing.

The song 'Kanmani Anbodu Kadhalan' is a masterstroke used at a crucial moment in the film. It triggers your emotions to another level. The background music and score by Sushin Shyam are commendable too, as they build up the emotional quotient in the viewers. The cinematography is noteworthy as it makes you believe the setup is from the real location. Although the scenes inside the cave are a bit patchy, it can be forgiven as the budget was quite tight.

The movie features an ensemble cast with Soubin Shahir in the lead. However, I feel he is pretty mediocre, and here it is no different. But the makers couldn't do anything as he is the producer too. The other actors- Balu Varghese, Ganapathi, Lal Jr., Deepak Parambol, Abhiram Radhakrishnan, Arun Kurian, and others-have done their parts to perfection. Sreenath Bhasi, in a special appearance, has done a good job and made his presence felt.

This survival thriller must be watched to feel the thrill for yourself. There is no surprise why it created a stir at the box office, as the director Chidambram has made a brilliant movie with minor glitches. #pranureviews #ManjummalBoys #ManjummalBoysReview

P. S: My only concern is that the real boys (upon whom the movie is based) are suddenly being hailed as heroes, which is troublesome. They broke the rules and ended up in a bad situation, and there's nothing truly heroic about that. However, their pure friendship is certainly something to be admired.

Wow!! Malayalam cinema delivers again! I'll say right away that the "Manjummel Boys' will be a bundle of emotion and a tug-of-war kind of feeling for those who are able to empathize. Personally, I was happy, afraid, angry, sometimes despairing and even choking with the characters for their redemption.

As to those who are familiar with the plot, Manjummel Boys is based on true story of a squad of 11 friends who hits the road for Kodaikanal in 2006. Laughter echoes in the hills, until one fateful step leads to a chilling truth: the Devil's Kitchen claims all who fall. Fear grips them, despair threatens, but their bond, a beacon in the darkness, ignites a desperate rescue mission. This a story deeper, where raw emotions paint a portrait of friendship forged in the face of the abyss. This is the thread which the film rides and successfully manages to be a winner. Despite the isolation of space, the film is very dynamic, both beneath and beyond. For some reason, the poster pushed me to the fact that this picture will be in the horror style, I expected to see zombie apocalypse and some internal conflicts that main characters experiences. Nothing aligned with my thoughts after the trailer but after watching it today and i would rather say i saw something more. I truly saw fear, despair, I saw a life drama filled with injustice and the tale of friendship in the midst of hopelessness.

Now about the game of actors - nearly everyone shines, with some moments reaching pure brilliance. Soubin Shahir delivers as always, but Sreenath Bhasi steals the show as the young atheist. He deserves a standing ovation for acting transmitting the whole palette of feelings of a person who is helpless and clinging to the slightest opportunity to see hope. Another great aspect of the film is the is cinematography by Shyju Khalid. It is stunning to witness all the shots taking a tonal shift when it turns macabre with every detail shown on the screen. Plus, the makeup team did wonders transforming Bhasi in the second half. Let's not forget the editing, Vivek Harshan deserves a shoutout for those incredible cuts, especially the way he blends Bhasi's cave scene with his childhood memories. He does the same with Soubin Shahir, creating one of the powerful moment in the film

The soundtrack is no less commendable. Sushin Shyam's soundtrack plays with light and dark, hope and despair, perfectly mirroring the film's emotional roller coaster. The pre-interval scene with Soubin Shahir's reaction with its stripped-down score, is brilliant, while the climax uses Ilayaraaja's iconic "Kanmani Anbodu Kaadhal" to deliver a gut punch of emotion. This genius homage to the evergreen classic from Kamal Hassan starrer "Gunaa" which leaves a lasting impact.

Final thoughts, Malayalam cinema continues to shine! After recent hits like "Attam," "Abraham Ozler," "Premalu," "Anweshippin Kandethum," and "Bramayugam," "Manjummel Boys" joins the list of must-watch films. This honest, smart film boasts of excellent performances and technical prowess. While not flawless, after all the emotional upheavals that you experience with the "Manjummel Boys", this film can be forgiven a lot. I want to say this is a testament to the director Chidambaram's masterful execution and he expertly crafted it as a rollercoaster of emotions and a tale of friendship.

I have to say, I didn't expect "Manjummel Boys" to unfold the way it did! As my first film of 2025, it completely caught me off guard. At first, I thought it would be a straightforward buddy film, but it took some surprising turns that really kept me engaged. The story beautifully explores friendship in a way that feels both heartfelt and real.

The cinematic framing is absolutely stunning! Every shot is thoughtfully composed, and the locations are just gorgeous. They really add to the overall vibe of the film and make you feel like you're right there with the characters. It's a visual treat that complements the powerful storytelling.

If you're looking for a film that celebrates friendship while also delivering an impressive cinematic experience, Manjummel Boys is definitely one to watch!