Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum HD Released

 

The apple doesn’t fall far from the tree. Akhil Sathyan’s Pachuvum Albhuthavilakkum is very much from the Sathyan Anthikad school of filmmaking. It’s a feel-good entertainer that evokes smiles, pathos and empathy. But having said that, the film, at its nearly three hour-length, feels that it would have been a bit more perfect if it didn’t stretch on for so long and stuck to the main story, rather than bringing in the romantic element.

Fahadh Faasil plays Prakashan - Pachu to his loved ones - a charmer who runs an ayurveda pharmacy in Mumbai. He comes down to Kerala for a couple of days to get some supplies and renew his business franchisee licence, amid which he is also taken to see a girl to fix his marriage if possible. He meets with a small domestic accident and when his trip is delayed, his wealthy, powerful Mumbai landlord, Riyas, played by Vineeth, calls in a favour and asks if Prakashan could accompany his mother, who insists on taking the train to Mumbai.

Amid the journey, the spunky senior, alights in the middle of the night at Goa, and Prakashan, who gets off the train manages to track down that she is at a house. He informs Riyas, who understands what his mother is up to and rushes down to Goa to take her back home. While the whole party prepares to fly back to Mumbai, Riyas’s mother tells Prakashan why she came to Goa and tells him that if he helps her out with what she wants, she will let Prakashan take possession of the shop space. Tempted by this lucrative offer, Prakashan agrees and sets out on a mission that leads to find empathy and love.

Akhil has witten the story, as well, and he shows skill in creating interesting side characters. But his legacy has worked as a boon, but sometimes also goes against him, in trying to make feel-good situations that seem too good. It’s normal for the hero and others to have grey shades, like Riyas, played perfectly by Vineeth, balancing a tough, hard side with a soft, tender one.

Also, Prakashan not coming clean with Dhwani, played by Anjana Jayaprakash, who helps him when he is in a bad spot, does not work to the credit of his character, who is largely shown as an honest guy, who tries to learn from his mistakes. One of the most refreshing things about the movie is to see a senior lady in an important role, played with great grace by Viji Venkatesh. Fahadh and Anjana are good in their roles.

This is definitely a movie reminiscent of sweet 80s-90s films and one to watch with the family.