'Dhoomakethu' first half review: A quirky time-loop tale where weddings meet chaos

Weddings have often occupied a significant space in Malayalam cinema. But 'Dhoomakethu', featuring Sajin Gopu and Nikhila Vimal in the lead, takes the idea in an unusual direction. A wedding mandapam and the thaali maala become recurring elements in the film, leading to a series of unusual, mysterious and comic situations.

Time-loop films are still relatively rare in Malayalam cinema, and 'Dhoomakethu', directed by 'Neymar' fame Sudhi Maddison, takes a different approach to the genre. Unlike many time-loop films that tend to be intense or driven by mystery, with the more recent 'Sambhavam Adhyayam Onnu' being one example, Sudhi opts for a lighter and more playful treatment.

This approach is also a risk, as the comedy and exaggerated situations could easily become over-the-top. However, Sudhi and his team manage to keep the film's tone largely under control, with the performances doing much of the work in making these situations engaging and entertaining.

The music complements the film's mood well, keeping the story light while also adding momentum to the proceedings. The editing is another positive, helping the narrative maintain a steady pace and ensuring that the time-loop premise does not become unnecessarily cumbersome.
The story is expected to take an interesting turn from here, and it remains to be seen whether the makers can sustain the film's pacing and maintain its mood as the narrative progresses.