‘ARM’ to ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’: Onam releases to catch in the theatres this year

Going to the cinemas during Onam has become as much a part of the cultural fabric as Pookkalam (floral carpet), Onam Sadhya (feast), Vadamvali (tug of war), and Oonjal (swing). Though watching movies might be the latest addition, it surely has become a part of our Onam celebrations these days. There are a handful Onam releases from Malayalam this year, and if you are wondering what to watch with your loved ones, we got it covered. From ‘ARM’ to ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’, here’s a list of films (both Malayalam and other languages) you can catch in the theatres nearby.

​Tovino Thomas starrer ‘Ajayante Randam Moshan’ is for the cinephiles who look forward to experiencing larger-than-life characters on the silver screen. Directed by Jithin Laal, this film features Tovino Thomas in triple roles and is set in three different eras. ETimes rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and our review reads, “Ajayante Randam Moshanam is a visual spectacle, through and through. Amidst this, the Tovino vehicle - where he plays the central character in different eras - keeps audiences engaged with myth, fantasy, nostalgia and, not to miss, caste politics. Tovino is definitely most striking in this role; he looks wild, but handsome and plays the role with charisma. In fact, though he carries off all the three very different looks very well.”

​

​Asif Ali starrer ‘Kishkinda Kaandam’ has an intricately woven script, backed with solid performances, and executed with sheer craftsmanship. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan, the film is a brilliantly crafted mystery thriller, which is layered with strong storytelling. Featuring Asif Ali, Vijayraghavan, and Aparna Balamurali in the lead roles, the film revolves around a routine government order issued before the elections, requiring firearms license holders to deposit their weapons at the nearest police station, and happens to notice a missing gun.

​

​Antony Varghese Pepe’s ‘Kondal’ is for the movie buffs who want to watch some action-packed films for Onam. Directed by debutant Ajith Mampally, ‘Kondal’, is set against the backdrop of a coastal village of Anchuthengu in Thiruvananthapuram. The film revolves around Immanuel aka Manuel (Antony) and promises a revenge thriller. The high-octane actioner is sure to give you some adrenaline rush!

​

​Vijay starrer Tamil movie ‘The Greatest Of All Time’ is also available in theatres on Onam. The film helmed by Venkat Prabhu revolves around MS Gandhi (Vijay) a former Special Anti-Terrorist Squad (SATS) officer, who embarks on a mission. The film is a decent watch for the fans of Vijay. ETimes rated the film 3 out of 5 and our review reads, “Endless fan moments, all mass and no solid substance makes GOAT an average watch for the film lovers, and a celebrated watch for his hard-core fans. In his 32-year-odd career and 68 films, GOAT is good, but definitely not Greatest Of All Times! Vijay is GOAT, no doubt, and he pulls off both the roles with ease. Playing a younger boy in the de-aging version, and adapting to the mannerisms gets full marks. His villainous side is very compelling. Vijays are the biggest asset of GOAT.”

​

​If you are a fan of horror films, do not miss the opportunity of watching the 2018 release Hindi film ‘Tumbbad’. The film is re-released in cinemas near you, and the film is worth every penny. Directed by Anil Barve, ‘Tumbbad’ explores the downsides of human greed, and the film is a visual spectacle. Starring Sohum Shah, ‘Tumbbad’ is not for the faint of heart. ETimes rated the film 4 out of 5 and our review reads, “The best form of horror is one which plays with your mind. The fear of the uncertain and the unknown is what evokes the strongest emotions. Tumbbad is a perfect example of a film that creates a surreal illusion. This psychological horror has its traditional moments of blood and gore, but the most promising part of this terrifying fable is that it makes monsters out of ordinary men. Tumbbad is a moody and atmospheric film. Some viewers may find the film a little too deep and disturbing, but fans of Hollywood horror films will be reminded of memorable movies in the genre like Pan’s Labyrinth (2006) and Eraserhead (1977). This one is genuinely scary.”

​

​Kareena Kapoor Khan starrer ‘The Buckingham Murders’ has also hit the cinemas during this festive season. Helmed by Hansal Mehta, the film revolves around a detective, played by Kareena, who has to unravel the mystery behind a murder in an English town, despite having a tough time in her personal life. ETimes has rated the film 3.5 out of 5 and our review reads, “A de-glam Bebo weaponises her silence amid the chaos as she seeks closure in solving the case. She hasn’t done anything like this before and this is a welcome change.This may not be an edge-of-your-seat, hard-hitting crime thriller as you expect it to be, but its understanding and expression of grief, isolation and repressed anger is noteworthy. Also, you won't be able to guess the killer till the end. If that's what you are looking for, this film succeeds. You just wish the build-up was more chilling and captivating."

​