Even as cinemas are slowing recovering from the pandemic’s blow following the release of big-banner films like Sooryavanshi and Annaatthe on the occasion of Diwali, movies continue to premiere online as well. Jai Bhim was recently released on Amazon Prime Video, while Meenakshi Sundareshwar premiered on Netflix.
Last week, meanwhile, saw scant releases in comparison to the first week of November. However, cinemas continue to prosper thanks to films like Kurup.
In more good news for exhibitors, the makers of Mohanlal-starrer Marakkar: Arabikadalinte Simham, that was initially supposed to take the OTT route, was confirmed as a theatrical release to be out on December 2.
Here, Silverscreen India brings you a round-up of reviews of notable films that released over the past week:
Kurup
Dulquer Salmaan‘s Kurup follows the life of Kerala’s infamous criminal Sukumara Kurup.
Aside from Dulquer in the title role, the Srinath Rajendran directorial features actors Shobhita Dhulipala, Tovino Thomas, Indrajith Sukumaran, Shine Tom Chacko, and Sunny Wayne.
The Malayalam film was initially supposed to premiere on Amazon Prime Video, but was later changed to a theatrical release based on a request to the makers from theatre owners, film exhibitors’ association President K Vijayakumar earlier told Silverscreen India.
Kurup received mixed to positive reviews from critics.
Aswathy Gopalakrishnan of Silverscreen India wrote that the film is tailor-made to suit the tastes of the younger section of the audience. Though she felt Kurup used “lazy, broad strokes” in its depiction of the protagonist’s mindscape, she added that the heart of the film, a scene where some men conspire and commit a heinous crime, is brilliantly staged and shot.
Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost, on the other hand, wrote that the film provides greater clarity than Adoor Gopalakrishnan‘s 2016 film Pinneyum (2016) (loosely inspired by Kurup’s story) in its assessment of the protagonist’s character, and that Salmaan’s casting as Kurup contributes considerably to this.
Vishal Menon of Film Companion, meanwhile, was of the opinion that the biggest risk that the director takes with Kurup is the way he’s chosen to structure its screenplay.
Kurup released in cinemas across India on Friday, November 12. It has collected about Rs 7 crore at the box office in the first two days of release in its main territory, Kerala, Film Exhibitors United Organisation of Kerala’s General Secretary Sumesh Joseph Manarcaud told Silverscreen India.
The film is running in 505 screens across the state.
Kurup has a current IMDb rating of 8.3.
Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham (Disney+ Hotstar)
Nivin Pauly made his digital debut last week with Ratheesh Balakrishnan‘s Kanakam Kaamini Kalaham, which released on Disney+ Hotstar on November 12.
The Malayalam film revolves around a constantly-bickering married couple, played by Pauly and Grace Antony, who arrive at a hotel, according to IMDb.
Aswathy Gopalakrishnan of Silverscreen India said in her review, “Ratheesh does a good job of setting up the ground for comedy, but he fails to flesh out the characters and create a dynamic narrative sprinkled with natural humour.”
Recommended
Baradwaj Rangan of Film Companion wrote that although the film feels inconsistent, it has an organic quality.
Anna MM Vetticad of Firstpost reflected similar sentiments, and wrote that while the film comprises fantastic actors, it “misses a great script and that X Factor that is essential to elicit laughs.”
The film has a current IMDb rating of 5.8.