Jaya Jaya Jaya Jaya Hey – Jaya (Darshana Rajendran) is a young woman who wants to finish her college education and get a job before taking on the responsibilities of marriage. Unfortunately for her, cultural norms in her community favor marriage above all other considerations. When matched up with Karthik (Basil Joseph), Jaya tries to fit into the mold of a dutiful wife. Karthik, who runs a successful small chicken farm, believes it is his job to bring Jaya into submission. He can only see her in a role of his making, not as an individual with her own needs and wants. Karthik starts abusing Jaya by slapping her in the face. At first, he apologizes, in another attempt to control her. But Jaya, who has a strong sense of herself, begins fighting back. Director Vipin Das finds lots of humor in this tale of tradition versus modernity in small-town Kerala.
Released December 22, 2022
Aanandam Paramanandam – A comedy/drama about the influence of alcoholism on the lives of good men and women. Directed by Shafi, written by M. Sindhuraj, and narrated by a recently retired postman speaking to us from beyond the grave. A generous man with a big heart, Kurup loans money to anyone in need. It is his dream to give his only daughter Anu a grand wedding. Sadly, Kurup has fallen into the habit of visiting the toddy shop daily, staying till midnight, drunkenly finding his way home, passing out before he gets to his bed, and his wife and his daughter neglected. Gireesh is a young man who has worked in the Gulf for several years, returning home to find a wife. He also has a drinking problem. He sees Anu and is attracted to her, so he proposes marriage. When Kurup refuses his permission stating Gireesh is a drinker, Anu tells her father she will obey him only if he stops drinking. If he can’t stop, she will marry Gireesh for spite. When Kurup commits suicide, the movie takes a most unexpected turn. Indrans is Kurup, a kind man struggling with his addiction but not capable of overcoming it. Sharafudheen as Gireesh is charming, spoiled, and loveable. Anagha Narayanan is Anu, a confident, strong-willed girl in a bad situation. Gentle humor, enjoyable characters, and a subtle message make this movie a light-hearted watch.
Released December 23, 2022
Malikapuram – Directed by debutant Vishnu Sasi Shankar, this devotional film’s heart is 8-year-old Kallu, played perfectly by an angelic Deva Nanda. Kallu’s grandmother has filled her head with legends of Lord Ayyappan, a handsome celibate Hindu deity. Ayyappan is depicted as a warrior yogi, wearing a bell around his neck, and riding on a tigress, the epitome of righteousness. It is Kallu’s fervent desire to make the pilgrimage to Sabarimala (Ayyappan’s abode) before she is ten, as females aged 10 to 50 are not allowed to visit the temple. Kallu’s father (Saiju Kurup) is starting preparations for the trip when he is involved in a humiliating incident regarding the payment of his mortgage. He commits suicide in disgrace. Grief-stricken, Kallu turns to her closest friend, 9-year-old Piyush (Sreepath), persuading him to make the journey to Sabarimala with her. Without telling anyone, they board a bus to the temple. When the ticket taker comes around, a creepy man steps up to pay for them. He is a child trafficker and Kallu becomes his target. Soon after, another mysterious man (Unni Mukundan) befriends Kallu and Piyush. Will the children be able to complete the journey safely or does tragedy await them? It was easy to fall in love with the cast of ‘Malikapuram’ and the music is exceptional. Many details surrounding the religious practices of Ayyappan are woven into the story, making it a learning experience as well.
Released December 30, 2022.
