Anuraga Karikkin Vellam

This is a simple feel good entertainer. This is the directors first film and flaws as it being his first one are evident throughout the movie. Still, the film has its moments, moments that make us look back to our own life, the relationships that we've been through and our hopes with it. The film is pretty good in that regard.

It's a brave attempt from Biju Menon, to play the role of father to an engineering graduate. There are clichéd moments, like Asif Ali going back to his ex-girlfriend's home on pre wedding night, just like Honeybee, isn't it?

This is not a kind of film that we can analyze the plot and say this would have been better if it was like that or so, rather its a plain and simple movie, an ordinary movie.

A watchable once movie, still that brings some smile on your face.

Khalid Rahman is a fairly new name in the Malayalam cinema scene, but the way he has concocted his debut feature - a feel-good family drama - is an indication that the industry still has hope.

Raghu (Menon) is a no-nonsense cop who lives with his wife Suma (Sarath) and two children, Abhi (Ali) and his kid sister, in an upper middle-class house. Even though he is a great policeman, his behavior towards his family members, especially his wife, is entirely dominant. Suma, a disciplined homemaker, fears Raghu and takes care of him and caters to all his needs in the best way possible, while Raghu, to his discredit, neither pays attention to her needs nor appreciates her role in his life. Abhi's adolescent life is a story arc where he is trying to get rid of Eli (Vijayan), a girl whom he previously desired and successfully executed a one-time fling with. This forms the base of the story which moves on to narrate the family drama from chiefly Raghu and Abhi's perspectives. Things take a turn for good when Raghu one day sees his childhood sweetheart in the city.

Anuraga Karikkin Vellam succeeds in showcasing an average patriarchal family in Kerala. It marvelously depicts the characters involved and speaks volumes about their struggles and thoughts as they live life. Raghu is the husband next door who should be thankful to his family, but is instead worked up with his profession and a past episode of romance. Abhi is a relatable character who is unable to express to Eli about his inability to continue his relationship due to lack of or subdued interest. One can definitely relate to at least one of the characters in the story, which is why it will delight you. Use of humor and other story arcs involving Sreenath Bhasi and current king of comedy Soubin Shahir will further increase the delight one will reap from the narrative.

Naveen Bhaskar has taken a contemporary, non-novel foundation and etched a family drama into it where the primary element is chance. It is by chance that Raghu sees his sweetheart, which is what is the backbone of the film. Relationships are hard to maintain, and factors like profession, passion, and fleeting romance can affect them. It is up to the person to take pride and pleasure in small things. Of course, this preachiness is not conspicuous in the film; it's a highly entertaining comedy drama with a well-written and well-executed story.

Biju Menon is terrific in his character and has successfully landed in my list of best Malayalam actors of the 2010s decade. His command over his character is absolutely fantastic, and with that he creates an aura on-screen. Another actor speedily trying to enter my top actors' list is Asha Sarath. She is glamorous, flawless, and gracious with her character. Ali and other supporting roles are fine, too. Also stealing the limelight is newcomer Rajisha Vijayan with her explosive portrayal of a girlfriend. She nails it, really.

With a perfect background score and energetic tracks, the film is a total entertainer. This is only the second Malayalam film I watched with my parents and the experience was amazing. One of the best films of 2016 so far, just behind the brilliant Maheshinte Prathikaaram.

BOTTOM LINE: Khalid Rahman's Anuraga Karikkin Vellam is a well- cooked dish that is palatable for all. Worth the theater ticket price.

Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES

The beginning song raised my hopes on the movie. But it seemed to lack pace. I kept wondering when the film will pick up but it never did. Biju Menon failed to impress me this time as I expected mostly a humour driven story here. Sreenath Bhasi was unnecessary here. Asif Ali also couldn't leave adequate mark of performance. I think overall, the film failed to communicate any valuable message. It is just a watch and forget.Imagination ran wild fearing the topics of discussion between a father who thinks he is talking to his ex lover whereas it has been his son's girlfriend.Very unrealistic, insensitive handling of moments when the realization hits Biju Menon. Thus the climax runs into nothing and I lost my money expecting a lot.

Just when you think Malayalam cinema is facing redemption in the form of Action Hero Biju and similar films that push the boundary, here comes another pretentious, meandering piece of garbage!

I don't need to go into the plot or such but the premise is flawed which could have been still salvaged by a better director but instead we get some random situations played out by a bunch of equally random actors that make it boring.

Biju Menon's wife has the look of an abused housewife every time her husband speaks to her... I am not sure if she did not grasp the character but I have found her to be an otherwise okay actor in the past. Aashiq Abu's character seems all over the place... not entirely sure what he's going after. Biju may be the only saving grace but he himself cannot rescue the film. The rest of the characters - the female character, the bike mechanic, the gujurati friend (why he needs to be gujurati is unknown!) - they all come across as props and simply meaningless to the story.

But it's perhaps the wayward script and poor editing wherein lies the fault. Scenes are dragged out way too far, the film itself could have wrapped up 30 minutes sooner and may have had some redeeming factor.

Avoidable and forgettable film!.

Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016)

A family in which there is a breadwinner, the father, Biju Menon , then an unemployed son, Asif Ali, home maker mother, Asha Sharath and a teen daughter is there. The routine of their family continues until father spots his ex lover. He tries to get her contact and accidentally gets his son''s girlfriend''s number. The girlfriend of Asif Ali intentionally gives the number so that she could avenge the break up Asif had with her. This happens in front of Asif Ali hence he knows that his father is frequently talking with her misunderstanding her to be his ex girlfriend. Finally the father changes his indifferent and routines in favour of his wife Asha Sharath. Thus in the end, they, Biju Menon and Asif Ali rush to let the son confess his love for her but by then she marries another person and while returning Biju Menon spots his ex lover again and they start chasing her but she turns out to be a stranger.

Anuraga Karikkin Vellam (2016)

A family in which there is a breadwinner, the father, Biju Menon , then an unemployed son, Asif Ali, home maker mother, Asha Sharath and a teen daughter is there. The routine of their family continues until father spots his ex lover. He tries to get her contact and accidentally gets his son''s girlfriend''s number. The girlfriend of Asif Ali intentionally gives the number so that she could avenge the break up Asif had with her. This happens in front of Asif Ali hence he knows that his father is frequently talking with her misunderstanding her to be his ex girlfriend. Finally the father changes his indifferent and routines in favour of his wife Asha Sharath. Thus in the end, they, Biju Menon and Asif Ali rush to let the son confess his love for her but by then she marries another person and while returning Biju Menon spots his ex lover again and they start chasing her but she turns out to be a stranger.