Deepa Soman, TNN, Updated: Apr 6, 2016, 09.08 AM ISTCritic's Rating: 3.0Story: Suffocated by his wife’s possessiveness, family man Chandramohan craves for space. During a tour to Thanjavur, an astrologer predicts that he will reunite with his ‘dancer lover’ from one of his former lives. Subsequently, Chandramohan meets dancerdoctor Geethanjali, to whom he is drawn, and the association meddles with his life.
Review: After a string of disappointing attempts in slapstick humour, Dileep has finally hit the mark with Chandrettan Evideya Sidharth Bharathan’s second directorial venture sees him take a crack at the commercial format after Nidra, which was a remake of his father’s classic.
The movie revolves around Chandramohan (Dileep), an assistant section officer in the complaints cell of Kerala legislative assembly, his possessive wife Sushma (Anusree) and doctor-dancer Geethanjali who makes a suspenseful entry into their lives. Once transferred to Thiruvananthapuram, Chandramohan celebrates freedom from his wife, leading a bachelor-like life with friends Mukesh, Suraj Venjaramoodu and Soubin Shahir.Sidharth Bharathan steps away from his father’s shadow and displays sparks that have the potential to help him carve a niche in the industry. Despite the clichéd storyline and hackneyed picturization of bachelor life, the story doesn’t elicit yawns, thanks to splendid performances.
Dileep plays his role with the right balance of humour and seriousness. Soubin Shahir stands out in comic moments and has an extended role as Dileep’s roommate, which he pulls off commendably. Anusree impresses with a measured performance as Chandramohan’s clingy wife. The sequences in which her character tries to keep a tab on her husband, who is away in Thiruvananthapuram, for instance, bring the roof down. The roles of KPAC Lalitha and Chemban Vinod aren’t extensive, but long enough to leave a mark.
Comically-treated, astrology triggers many a laugh but gets a tad tiresome at times when it goes overboard with avoidable explanations. Editing by Bavan Sreekumar could have been sharper and at 125 minutes, the film is a wee bit too long. Nevertheless, Chandrettan Evideya is a clean, family watch and a throwback to the times when Dileep movies meant sterling, genuine entertainers.