Rating : ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️
Genre: Drama
Year: 2023
Running time: 2 hour 51 minutes
Director: Akhil Satyan
Cast: Fahadh Faasil, Viji Venkatesh, Anjana Jayaprakash, Dhwani Rajesh
Kid rating: PG
When I first started this Malayalam movie, I knew nothing about it other than the short blurb that Netflix displayed, and that was pretty vague. Still, I continued, because the main character is played by Fahadh Faasil who has got to be one of the best actors of his generation, if not the absolute best. If you haven’t seen his other movies like Kumbalangi Nights or Bangalore Days or Maheshinthe Pratikaram, do; you’re in for a real treat.
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (Pachu and the magic lamp) is Prashanth (Faasil), or Pachu’s story. Pachu runs a successful pharmacy in Mumbai, but returns to Kerala to meet his family. On the trip back, a Mumbai acquaintance requests that Pachu accompany his sick, elderly mother, Laila, who is also traveling back to Mumbai. Pachu agrees, but the lady has other plans. She disembarks mid-journey at Goa, and when Pachu tries to get her back on the train, she pepper sprays him. All hell breaks loose.
There is more, of course, to this situation than meets the eye, and once Pachu realizes that, he gets pulled deeper and deeper into it. Initially, it’s because he is promised a rich reward, but the reward comes at a high price.
This was such a great film! It is long – almost 3 hours – but honestly, the time flys by. It is strongly plot-driven. There is something or the other always happening, but besides the eventful ride, there are also humorous episodes with friends and family. Faasil delivers an immaculate, heartfelt performance as the impish, easy-going Pachu. And the rest of the cast, especially Viji Venkatesh as Laila and Anjana Jayaprakash as Hamsadhwani are fantastic too!
The film has such an impact because the characters seem natural, and their emotions realistic. PAV has everything – drama, emotion – humor, anger, surprise, betrayal, love – all beautifully woven into an interesting plot-line. You cannot but help get invested in the lead character’s lives!
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum was an amazing watch – highly recommended!
