Ponman review: The film Ponman is enriched by exceptional writing and performances, featuring numerous cinematic moments that are not defined by the scale of the scenes but rather by the struggles faced by its characters.

In the narrative of Ponman, Ajesh, a gold dealer, lends 25 sovereigns to Bruno's family to facilitate the marriage of his sister, Steffi, with the understanding that he would claim all the monetary gifts presented to the bride. However, when the family finds itself in financial difficulty, Ajesh must confront Mariyano, Steffi's husband, who is a criminal with his own motives for accumulating the gold.

Ponman review: In various scenes of Jothish Shankar’s debut film Ponman, the character Ajesh, portrayed by actor Basil Joseph, is depicted as a resilient and courageous gold lender. His actions, whether it involve confronting a dangerous group on an isolated island, intervening to prevent a man from taking his own life, or refraining from placing blame on others for his predicaments, reflect a superhero-like persona. However, Ajesh is fundamentally an ordinary individual from a family grappling with financial difficulties. His primary objective, albeit seemingly self-serving, is to safeguard his reputation, which compels him to confront challenges and rely on his own strength to prevail.

This essence is what allows Jothish’s film to resonate with its title; despite the protagonists being underdogs, they seize every opportunity presented by life to rise above their circumstances.

Set in Kollam, the film draws inspiration from GR Indugopan’s Nalanchu Cheruppakarar. It tells the story of Ajesh, a gold dealer who lends 25 sovereigns to Steffy (Lijomol) for her wedding. When Steffy fails to return the gold, Ajesh finds himself facing her formidable and merciless husband, Mariyano (Sajin Gopu). The situation proves challenging for Ajesh, Steffy, and Mariyano, as each character has their own motivations for clinging to the gold.

Jothish’s craftsmanship is prominently displayed in his debut film. With the support of exceptional writing from Indugopan and Justin Mathew, Ponman is filled with cinematic moments that derive their significance not from the grandeur of the scenes but from the struggles faced by the three main characters. The film, running just over two hours, is tightly edited and avoids any attempts to inflate its scale. Each scene is meticulously crafted, allowing the actors' performances to enhance the overall impact.

Justin Mathew’s score effectively anchors this film in reality, while Sanu John Varghese’s cinematography ensures that no frame lingers longer than necessary. As an art director, Jothish skillfully utilizes the coastal and island settings to highlight the determination and resilience of those striving to make a living.

Indugopan’s Oru Thekkan Thallu Case, adapted from the Amminipillai Vettu Case, is often regarded as a missed opportunity. However, Jothish successfully ensures that Penman remains faithful to its source material by delivering a captivating on-screen adaptation. Much of the film's success can be attributed to the tone and the performances of its cast. The creators seem cognizant of the predictability of the ending and thus endeavour to develop the characters more fully. While some of these character-driven sequences may slow the pacing, the interactions between Ajesh and the trio of Bruno (Anand Manmadhan), Steffi, and Mariyano prove to be worthwhile.

Basil continues to impress audiences with his growth as an actor, particularly in serious roles. His performance in Kadina Kadoramee Andakadaham is often overlooked amidst his recent successes, yet in Ajesh, he elevates his craft, showcasing his ability to portray complex characters with finesse. His role in Ponman embodies humour, strength, and emotional depth. In contrast, Sajin represents the stark opposite to Ajesh; he is characterized by his few words and a more intimidating presence than one of compassion. Nevertheless, during the dialogue between Ajesh and Mariyano, both characters resonate, adding depth to Mariyano’s role rather than merely depicting him as a brutish husband.

Lijomol's portrayal of Steffi is marked by a nuanced balance; she exhibits coyness in her interactions with her mother, displays an emotional outburst towards her brother, and conveys a sense of fear and apprehension regarding her husband and his family. Ultimately, she draws strength from Ajesh, all of which is skillfully depicted by the actress in Ponman. The film also features notable performances from Anand Manmadhan, Sandhya Rajendran, Jaya Kurup, and Deepak Parambol, effectively highlighting the resilience and challenges faced by those struggling financially within society.

Ponman verdict: Jothish Shankar delivers a confident debut in this heartfelt drama. The performances of Basil Joseph, Lijomol, and Sajin Gopu, combined with a compelling screenplay, contribute to making this film a remarkable addition to the promising start of 2025 for Malayalam cinema.

Read Also: Ponman Twitter review: Netizens Applaud Basil Joseph's Stellar Performance

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