Basil Joseph’s 'Athiradi' packs chaos and a fun vibe | First-half review

Basil Joseph’s long hair and college-boy look were among the standout elements of Athiradi’s promotional material from the very beginning. He slips comfortably into the role of Samkutty, or ‘Sambro’ as he likes to call himself, a quirky youngster who joins a nearby engineering college because of his unusual fascination with concrete. Strange but amusing, that offbeat energy defines the film from the opening scene up until the interval, setting it apart from the familiar rom-com campus dramas audiences are used to.

Samkutty’s mannerisms occasionally feel reminiscent of Maranamass, and there are moments when Basil appears to push a little too hard to inject humour into the character. Still, it aligns with the film’s fun tone, making it easy to go along with.

Riya Shibu’s Swathi is practical and grounded. While the character largely fits the familiar template of the potential love interest, she brings enough spirit and personality to it.

The emotions in the film land, but it feels like debutant director Arun Anirudhan and the writers do not want to linger on them. Overall, the film carries a compelling vibe that keeps us invested in how everything unfolds, while the cast adds to its charm.