Kaathal The Core first half report – Slow but engaging narrative; BGM and performances astounding

Malayalam megastar Mammootty’s new home production, Kaathal: The Core, which comes close on the heels of the success of his last, Kannur Squad, released in theatres today. In the last few days, the film has been the subject of intense scrutiny and discussion, after a synopsis of the film, supposedly from the International Film Festival of India (Goa), began doing the rounds, in which it was said that Mammootty’s character Mathew Devassy faces cruelty charges in his divorce proceedings with Omana (Jyothika), owing to him being a closet homosexual. The film was said to be an exploration of how society reacts to this revelation. Netizens had hailed Mammootty for not shying away from a film tackling such a serious subject and if the initial reports are anything to go by, Kaathal: The Core is working with audiences.

Kaathal The Core plot: Netizens divided about Mammootty's sexuality angle in Jeo Baby film 

The film, of course, is trending on social media, with several netizens posting impressions of the first half. So far, the unanimous report is that the first half is slow but immensely engaging, with story and character development, great performances and background score too. Audiences have also appreciated how well each character has been written, which is a nod to writers Paulson Skaria and Adarsh Sukumaran. Director Jeo Baby (of The Great Indian Kitchen fame), has built up the plot well, they added. Most importantly, this is the kind of script that any actor of the stature and calibre of Mammootty would hesitate to pick up – that’s been the overwhelming response from audiences.

Kaathal: The Core is the fourth production of Mammootty Kampany, after the likes of Rorschach, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam and Kannur Squad and yet another example of the superlative story selection by the team and, of course, Mammootty.