Movies aren’t made for reviewers: Chidambaram on film reviews

Director Chidambaram recently opened up about film reviews in Malayalam cinema, stressing the importance of meaningful critique over personal attacks. His remarks were made during an interview on a Tamil YouTube channel, where he was joined by filmmakers Venkat Prabhu, Pa Ranjith, Rajkumar, and Nithilan. The discussion also touched on the recent controversy involving actor Unni Mukundan and social media personality Secret Agent.

When asked about the impact of reviews on a film’s box office success, Chidambaram shared that while reviews are a part of the cinematic journey, they are not the driving force behind the creation of a movie. “Reviews are not a new phenomenon. Just three days ago, I came across a 1940s newspaper article about the film 'Balan'. It criticised aspects like inadequate cinematography and a lack of Kerala’s natural beauty. Reviews have existed since the early days of cinema,” he explained.

Addressing the evolution of review culture, Chidambaram highlighted the role of social media. “In social media reviews, the presentation style is what grabs attention. Audiences seem to enjoy slightly toxic commentary. Once a film is released, it enters the public domain, and anyone can share their opinions. However, many reviews cross the line into personal attacks, which is unacceptable. While art can be critiqued harshly—good or bad—the effort behind it should always be respected,” he remarked.

Chidambaram also referenced the issue involving Unni Mukundan and Secret Agent, albeit without naming them directly. He shared, “In Malayalam, a particular star is repeatedly targeted by a reviewer. The actor once called the reviewer to ask what the problem was, and the reviewer responded, ‘I can earn my living by criticising you.’ The actor then asked if they were actually doing that.”

Previously, Unni Mukundan himself addressed the incident in an interview. “When I confronted the YouTuber, they admitted that criticising me was their livelihood. If that’s their way of earning, I respect it. No matter how it affects me, I don’t mind. If my criticism helps them earn a living, so be it,” he stated.