Sandeep S

ike his debut, Althaf delivers another wildly absurd film—but this time, the intensity is cranked up. He takes deep, traumatic life events and filters them through absurdity and fun. The meaninglessness of life becomes a playground here, and he makes us laugh at it. The film is so tightly packed that some of its most hilarious moments rush past, leaving us wishing for a breath of air. We begin with Aby falling into a coma on his wedding day—thanks to a ridiculous suggestion from his fiancée Nidhi that he should ride a horse, inspired by a recurring dream she had. While Aby lies in a coma, he himself dreams absurd loops for over a year until he finally wakes. From there, the film spirals through flashbacks: how Aby and Nidhi decided to marry for a hilariously illogical reason, and later, how he crosses paths with Revathy, another heartbroken soul. Sibi, Aby’s brother—played with eccentric brilliance by Vinay Fort—steals every scene he’s in with sheer body language and comic energy. Lal, as Aby’s hilariously unhinged father, pushes the absurdity even further, while Revathy’s backstory adds emotional depth and perspective. The film doesn’t always land every laugh, but it’s easily one of the boldest absurdist comedies ever made in Malayalam—or Indian—cinema. It tackles modern-day issues like trauma and depression, folds them into looping dreams and surreal situations, and emerges with a kind of gentle, absurd philosophy of life. What’s frustrating is watching mainstream critics pile on negativity, especially when it’s clear they’re following online trends set by shallow vloggers who masquerade as reviewers. This film is a daring experiment that mostly works—and deserves to be celebrated, not dismissed. By the end, the sheer madness of performances by Lal, Fahadh, Vinay, Suresh Krishna, Kalyani, and the rest of the cast makes it all worthwhile. Extremely polarising opinions about a film may not be a good sign for its box office success but it definitely proves that it worked high time as a work of art. It’s one of a kind. Messy, at times cerebral, absurd—but rewarding. A must watch.

Yamakaathagi is a gripping Tamil film that blends mystery and drama with a fresh narrative style. The film stands out for its well-crafted screenplay, engaging performances, and atmospheric cinematography that keeps you invested throughout. The storytelling is layered, revealing twists that make the journey unpredictable yet satisfying. With strong direction and a unique concept, Yamakaathagi is a must-watch for those who enjoy thought-provoking cinema with a touch of suspense.

Must watch One of the recenf best both in content and form. Drama at its best. It's funny yet dark.

Textbook on filmmaking! Brilliant non judgemental narrative that scrutinises survival instincts we carry from our primitive species.