Malikappuram

Story: Young Deva Nanda is unhappy that her pilgrimage to Sabarimala is delayed and decides to go with her friend

Vishnu Sasi Shankar's Malikappuram is a watchable film which deals with how faith takes root in young minds. It is made for kids and successfully so, with a couple of kids in the theatre calling 'Swamiye Sharanamayyappa' loudly towards the end of the movie. In fact, for anyone who has been to Sabarimala before, it feels like visiting the temple again through the well-planned frames from Erumeli to the sanctum sanctorum of the temple.

Deva Nandha who plays Kallu aka Malikappuram (all girls visiting Sabarimala for the first time are referred to as Malikappuram) charms the audience through her innocence and boundless faith. However, the character's ridiculous stubbornness can be off-putting at times.

The first half of the movie is in a typical village setting with local myths and portrays a young girl's ardent wish to go to Sabarimala. Due to tragic events, her trip gets delayed and later she and her friend Piyush portrayed by Sreepath, who has done a commendable job, decide to visit Sabarimala themselves. Their journey takes up the second half when the pace of the movie gains speed. As it is, it's a children's movie and therefore has many elements that will appeal to the children. It also emphasises the concept of 'Tatvamasi' where each individual can be seen as Brahmin based on Hindu philosophy.

Unni Mukundan was a good choice for the role and he easily gains a superhero image among the kids. Saiju Kurup is on point as a loving father who is kind and gentle to everyone around him. Ramesh Pisharody also does well in his role of a friend and family man. Manoj K Jayan , Renji Panicker, Sampath Ram, TG Ravi, Sreejith Ravi are other big names in the movie.

In the end, the villain played by Sampath Ram seems like a plot device the writer didn't know how to use. The music by Ranjin Raj is apt for the setting.
- Gopika S