Movie: Hridayapoorvam
Rating: 2.75/5
Cast: Mohanlal, Malavika Mohanan, Sangita Madhavan Nair, Sangeeth Prtap, Siddiqui and others
Director: Sathyan Anthikad
Streaming On: Jio Hotstar
Mohanlal’s Hridayapooravam hit theaters during the Onam Festival and garnered positive reviews. Despite competing with the industry blockbuster Lokah: Chapter 1 Chandra, the film managed an impressive 75 Cr gross at the box office. Now available on OTT via Jio Hotstar, let’s dive into what makes this film special in our review.
Story:
Mohanlal portrays Sandeep Balakrishnan, a super eligible bachelor in his middle years who operates a cloud kitchen. He gets a heart transplant as his health worsens. The heart comes from Ravindranath, an Indian Army colonel based in Pune. Zari (Sangeet Pratap) is appointed by the doctors as Sandeep’s caretaker.
In a heartfelt gesture, Haritha (Malavika Mohanan) invites Sandeep to Pune, fulfilling her father’s last desire. She stays with her mom, Devika (Sangita Madhavan Nair). The remainder of the story focuses on Sandeep’s experiences in Pune and how he expresses his thanks to Haritha and Devika.
Performances:
Mohanlal took his usual laid-back approach and totally pulled off the character. Malavika Mohanan nails her role, and Sangita Madhavan Nair really stands out with her charm and authentic performance. Sangeet Pratap and Siddique also make a good impression.
Analysis:
Sathyan Anthikad, the acclaimed director behind popular Malayalam films like Jomonte Suvisheshangal and Njan Prakashan, collaborates with Mohanlal for Hridayapoorvam.
The film opens with a perfectly crafted, slightly tense situation before introducing the lead character. It maintains a passable vibe for a while, but with Malavika Mohanan’s entry, the story transitions to Pune.
The interactions between Mohanlal, Malavika, and Sangita are engaging, with some fun moments standing out, like Mohanlal and Sangeet Pratap landing in the hospital. The hilarious scenes leading up to the interval are also entertaining. The second half shifts slightly towards an emotional tone at times, which works well.
However, the pace slows down in the latter half, with the proceedings feeling somewhat repetitive and stagnant. Additionally, some characters come across as unnecessary, such as the colonel’s friend played by Lalu Alex or Mohanlal’s aspiring filmmaker friends.
However, as the film approaches its climax, it regains momentum and concludes on a satisfying note.
Positives:
- Performances
- Music
- Lighthearted Moments
Negatives:
- Slow/Dull Feel at the beginning of the second half
- A Few Unexciting characters/scenes
Hridayapoorvam Movie Review and Verdict:
Hridayapoorvam is a pleasant, feel-good family movie with heartwarming moments, good music, and natural performances. While it has a few dull moments and a less engaging conflict, it still delivers a nice experience overall.
