A cinematic embrace: Sathyan Anthikad's 'Wholeheartedly'

Sathyan Anthikad’s Hridayapoorvam casts Mohanlal as an everyday man, blending humor, compassion, and family drama in a heartfelt narrative.

Hridayapoorvam movie poster / Instagram- Mohanlal

In a career spanning half a century in Malayalam cinema, director Sathyan Anthikad has often taken celebrated actors like Mohanlal, known for portraying larger-than-life and powerful characters, and reimagined them as ordinary people. His latest film, 'Hridayapoorvam' (Wholeheartedly), is a testament to this craft, harvesting a unique kind of wonder by placing its legendary star firmly in the world of the everyday.

The film's strength lies in its timely narrative, a fresh and relatable story that makes it a perfect watch for the entire family. Shunning the modern technical extravagances of today's cinema, 'Hridayapoorvam' offers a simple yet deeply satisfying form of entertainment.

Also read: Indian American Vishy Ayyar's Film American Warrior Priemiered in Chicago

The story revolves around Sandeep Balakrishnan, a bachelor and business owner who receives a second lease on life through a heart transplant. The heart belonged to an unknown army colonel who suffered sudden brain death in an accident. Sandeep's restaurant, 'Lunch Box,' is more than just a place to practice his passion for cooking; it's a haven where he generously feeds a group of young, aspiring filmmakers who are down on their luck. The plot truly unfolds when Haritha, the daughter of the deceased colonel, arrives to meet the man who carries her father's heart. Their encounter and the subsequent events form the core of this contemporary tale.

The film masterfully weaves together different generations, creating humorous moments born from the generational clashes we see today. The cast includes veteran actors like Siddique as Omanakutta Panikar, Janardhanan as Chittappan, and Lalu Alex as Pune Jacob, who share the screen with a new generation of talent. The younger cast features Malavika Mohanan as Haritha, Soumya Pillai as Rajani (Sandeep's former fiancée who ran off with someone else at their wedding), Sangeeth Prathap as Jerry (Sandeep's caretaker), and a guest appearance by Basil Joseph as a doctor.

Anu Moothedath's cinematography is a visual delight, with each shot glowing like a cherished memory in a photo album. The film's editing by K. Rajagopal and the music by Justin Prabhakaran are also commendable. The beautiful screenplay and dialogue, penned by T.P. Sonu, are based on a story by Akhil Sathyan.

One of the film's greatest strengths is Mohanlal's portrayal of Sandeep Balakrishnan, a character who embodies the same inclusive and compassionate nature as the actor himself. With 'Hridayapoorvam,' director Sathyan Anthikad proves once again that a compelling story can succeed without complicated twists, simply by telling a beautiful and heartwarming tale of life.

Comments

This is a Premium Article, available exclusively to our subscribers.

Read 500+ such News or articles every month by subscribing today!
Monthly

Free

Limited Access

Limited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Subscribe Now
Monthly

$10

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Annual

$50

Full Access

Unlimited View

Free weekly E-Paper

Free daily newsletter

Subscribe Now
Start the conversation

Become a member of New India Abroad to start commenting.

Sign Up Now

Already have an account? Login