When you think of a Basil Joseph movie and his past roles, you probably picture the Malayalam actor bringing laughter and joy in a light-hearted comedy that has a deeper message underneath. However, director Jotish Shankar’s film Ponman (The Man with Gold) takes a completely different turn, showcasing Basil in a way that shatters that familiar image. Ponman is inspired by the novel Nalanchu Cheruppakarar (Four Five Young Men) by GR Indugopan.

The storyline

In Kollam, we meet Bruno (Anand Manmadhan) and his family, which consists of his widowed mom and sister, Steffi Graf (Lijomol Jose). Bruno is part of a Leftist party in Kerala, but he spends his days lounging around, leaving his mom anxious. She’s eager to see Steffi married off. When they finally find a groom, Mariyano (Sajin Gopu), they face a hefty dowry demand of 25 sovereigns of gold. As the financially struggling family scrambles to come up with the gold, Bruno gets into a scuffle with a clergyman, leading to his suspension from the party.

In this tough spot, he meets PP Ajesh (Basil Joseph), a jewellery expert who operates on a unique deal. He provides the gold jewellery with the understanding that the family must pay him back within a day of the wedding using the cash gifts they receive, or he’ll take the jewellery back. Ajesh gives them 25 sovereigns of gold for Steffi’s wedding, but the family can only manage to pay for 13 sovereigns, leaving Ajesh demanding 12 sovereigns back. This creates a dilemma since Steffi is whisked away to her new home right after the wedding, and Ajesh has to confront Mariyano to reclaim his gold. It turns out Mariyano isn’t just a simple prawn farm guard; he’s a tough guy who can take on multiple opponents at once. Will Ajesh manage to get his gold back?

Basil Joseph is stepping into a new role as a regular guy trying to make a living through kindness, sort of. Ajesh, his character, is all about the rules he sets for his job and expects everyone to follow them. He takes pride in his knack for recovering gold and cash from even the toughest clients. Even though he’s not the athletic type or a typical ‘hero,’ he’s got this relentless spirit. Ajesh is a complex character, evolving from an everyday guy to someone who seems a bit unhinged at times. Basil nails this transformation, moving from a quirky dude to a focused individual hell-bent on achieving his goals.

On the flip side, Ajesh faces off against Sajin Gopu, who shines as Mariyano. This character is the epitome of negativity, showcasing traits like physical intimidation, arrogance, and a violent streak. Sajin slips into this role with ease, making their showdown a highlight of the film. Lijomol Jose also stands out as Steffi, while Anand Manmadhan and Deepak Parambol deliver solid performances in their roles.

Ponman scores big with several victories

The writers of the film, GR Indugopan and Justin Mathew, deserve major props for tackling the serious topic of dowry and turning it into a really engaging screenplay. The plot is packed with twists, turns, and suspense that keep you hooked as the story unfolds. They do a fantastic job of showcasing the unique traits of three guys—Bruno, Mariyano, and Ajesh—and how their lives intersect, putting Ajesh in a high-stakes situation. The film also shines thanks to Nidhin Raj Arol's editing and Sanu John Varghese's cinematography. Director Jotish Shankar has done an awesome job bringing the script to life, capturing all the little details and adding his own flair to make it technically impressive. Plus, the performances, especially by Basil Joseph, really make this movie a must-see.

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