Do not be misguided by the title. Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela is not a rustic romance as you might have imagined.
The Nivin Pauly starrer, directed by debutante Althaf Salim, is set in the busy urban terrain of Kochi, but in a calm and serene family atmosphere. Tailor-made for the family audience, this melodrama celebrates the sense of togetherness and values of kinship.
The lead character of Kurien, son of expatriate Chacko (Lal) and Sheela (Shanthi Krishna), is a rerun of brand Nivin Pauly, who is known for his naive cheerfulness and lovable attitude.
The "break" (idavela) in the title indicates Kurien's homecoming from London, which was necessitated by a crisis that has cobwebbed his family, back in Kochi.
The film takes a neat one hour for Chacko and Sheela to reveal the crisis to their children, and another one to come out of it.
The film has an intriguing plot, a handful of adorable characters and a good amount of situational comedy. Yet, a lagging script and a narrative that closely resembles a recent Nivin Pauly outing play spoilsport for the festival entertainer.
Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela marks the return of Shanthi Krishna to the big screen after a long hiatus. And, the veteran actress proves what it means to be experienced when it comes to acting.
As Sheela, a college professor and woman of willpower, Shanthi Krishna shines brighter among the star cast. She finds the perfect supporter in Lal, who plays the tense, fearful Chacko.
Most of the other characters are caricatures in nature and have nothing much to do. Rachel, played by debutante Aishwarya Lekshmi, gives glimpses of a bold female character but ends up being just another heroine stereotype.
Mukesh Muraleedharan's soothing frames keep the pleasant mood of the film alive throughout. However, a good amount of editing would have made the narrative a tighter one.
Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela may not be an out-and-out entertainer for those who expect yet another Premam, especially since the film has several actors who had joined hands for the blockbuster. But the film is a one-time watch for those who have a taste for family drama.
Rating: 3/5