Malayalee From India review: Nivin Pauly’s entertainer has a timely message, wrapped in humour and melodrama

Malayalee from India review: Just like his previous outing Jana Gana Mana, Dijo Jose Antony hooks the audience with melodramatic sequences to deliver them timely messages

Nivin Pauly in a poster of Malayalee From India

Malayalee From India story: Aalparambil Gopi, an aimless youth whose life revolves around cricket and a bit of politics, inadvertently gets embroiled in a burning issue in his hometown, thanks to his friend. This turns his life upside down, forcing him to confront his own baseless biases as he forges a deeper friendship.

Malayalee From India review: In the first half of director Dijo Jose Antony’s latest movie, its protagonist Aalparambil Gopy (Nivin Pauly) seeing his mother in a vulnerable state of mind, reminds her that though his father has passed away, he is still there to take care of her and his sister. Without even batting an eyelid, Gopy then asks her for Rs 100. Through many such comedic instances, which showcase that we are in the middle of such tall claims that are often followed by inaction, Malayalee From India paints a satirical picture of the current socio-political scenario - but wrapped in humour and melodrama - making it entertaining as well as moving in parts.

The film shows the life of Gopy, an indolent and ignorant youth, who subscribes to a political ideology that is filled with promises that are enough to give him goosebumps. He isn’t concerned about whether these claims are fulfilled and doesn’t even truly understand them. The same ignorance and thoughtlessness, spurred on by his best friend Malgosh (Dhyan Sreenivasan), lands him in a soup, forcing him to flee to another country. It’s here that his beliefs undergo a sea change after he forms an unlikely friendship.

Also read: Malayalee From India Teaser – Nivin Pauly’s fans say it ‘completely altered the tone of the movie’ 

The true star of Malayalee From India is its writing, though it’s bloated in parts. Sharis Mohammed treats the relevant subject with heft, borrowing wherever required (and in the most poignant manner) from real-life instances in Kerala. While preachy in certain stretches in the second half when Gopy is abroad, the movie successfully makes sure you are glued to the screen despite its length. And this is because of the humour, which peaks in the first half, and is sprinkled enough in the second half too. Even the core theme of how divisive politics easily earns naive subscribers comes through without any hard-hitting dialogues, but purely through relatable everyday instances.

Just like their previous outing Jana Gana Mana, Dijo and Sharis hook the audience with melodramatic sequences to deliver them timely messages. The second half of the film, served with limited characters, offers a global perspective touching upon themes such as terrorism. Gopy’s arc comes full circle, when the element of hatred that pushed him in a thoughtless action, also becomes the seed for a friendship and more; showing how humanity and sports are beyond divisive lines.

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Nivin fills into Gopy’s shoes just like water into a tumbler. Be it laziness, unkemptness, indifference or ignorance of the character, the actor’s performance ensures these are portrayed effectively while also making the character endearing and interesting. He also carries the second half that required him to show his transformation, while also not letting go of the humour aspect. The movie is also self aware with its characters including that of Nivin and Dhyan Sreenivasan freely embracing self troll wherever required.

Jakes Bejoy has a penchant for stirring up emotions and the music does exactly that in this film again, especially in sequences that are inspired by real-life incidents. The movie could have, however, benefitted from tighter editing - especially in the second half. That said, Malayalee From India serves to show why people shouldn’t fall for propaganda and should be alert about divisive politics.

Malayalee From India verdict: Whether you are a fan of political satires or entertainers, this Nivin Pauly-starrer has enough to keep you entertained in theatres.

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