Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum (transl. Pachu and the Magic Lamp) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language adventure-comedy-drama film directed by Akhil Sathyan in his directorial debut. The film stars Fahadh Faasil in the titular role, along with Anjana Jayaprakash, Mukesh, Innocent, Vineeth, and Indrans. It is produced by Sethu Mannarkkad under the banner of Full Moon Cinema. The film was released on 28 April 2023 and received critical positive response from critics and audiences and was a commercial success.[3] This was the last film of veteran actor Innocent released after his death on 26 March 2023.
Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum | |
---|---|
Directed by | Akhil Sathyan |
Written by | Akhil Sathyan |
Produced by | Sethu Mannarkkad |
Starring | |
Cinematography | Sharan Velayudhan |
Edited by | Akhil Sathyan |
Music by | Justin Prabhakaran |
Production company | Full Moon Cinema |
Release date |
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Running time | 170 minutes[1] |
Country | India |
Language | Malayalam |
Box office | est. ₹17.2 crore (US$2.2 million)[2] |
Plot
Prasanth alias Pachu owns an ayurveda pharmacy store/clinic in Mumbai. He's unmarried due to past rejections, and he must return to his hometown in Kerala for business. While attending a wedding with his father, Rajan, in his hometown, Pachu becomes infatuated to a woman. Rajan's friend suggests a proposal, and they visit her house. However, Pachu ends up in the hospital, missing his flight back to Mumbai.
Riyas, the building owner of Pachu's store, asks him to travel to Mumbai by train with his elderly mother, Laila, fondly called ummachi for company. Pachu agrees, and they board the train. On the train, they encounter a young boy Ashwin traveling alone to Mumbai. During the night, ummachi mistakenly gets off the train at Karmali, Goa. Pachu realizes ummachi is missing and follows her off the train, along with Ashwin who believes they have arrived in Mumbai. When Pachu confronts ummachi, she sprays pepper at him and Ashwin before leaving the station.
Pachu discovers that ummachi has gone to Hamsadhwani's house. He calls Riyas, who rushes to retrieve his mother. Once ummachi is found, they all prepare to fly back to Mumbai, where she apologizes for her unusual behavior.
Ummachi shares the story of Nidhi, the daughter of their maid Geeta. Ummachi had taken care of Nidhi's education until the maid sent her back to Goa to work as a maid. Determined to rescue her, ummachi disembarks in Goa and goes to Hamsadhwani's house, where Nidhi is employed and through whom Nidhi called ummachi. In the present, Laila offers Pachu ownership of his ayurveda store if he can bring back Nidhi. Pachu agrees and sets off to find Nidhi at Hamsadhwani's house.
Upon discovering Nidhi's location, Pachu faces a beating and robbery from her brother Savio and his friends. He recovers his belongings, waits for the opportune moment, and plans an escape with Nidhi. Meanwhile, Pachu grows closer to Hamsadhwani, assisting her in ending a toxic relationship with her boyfriend. Riyas, who was once opposed to Laila's decision, now supports her in bringing Nidhi back. He keeps his recovered items a secret to spend more time with her. Savio discovers their escape plan and takes Nidhi. Hamsadhwani learns about Pachu's recovered items, leading to complications in their relationship.
Pachu makes another attempt to save Nidhi and fight off Savio and his friends. They try to kill Pachu and Nidhi but her grandfather defends them, allowing her to leave with Pachu. Afterwards, Hamsadhwani and Pachu reconciles. Former both travel to Kerala to reunite her with ummachi.
During the train journey back to Mumbai, Pachu disembarks at Karmali to meet Hamsadhwani.
Cast
- Fahadh Faasil as Prasanth 'Pachu' Rajan, Pharmacist
- Anjana Jayaprakash as Hamsadhwani
- Dhwani Rajesh as Nidhi, Geeta's daughter
- Viji Venkatesh as Laila, Riyas's Mother
- Mukesh as Rajan, Pachu's Father
- Innocent as Vasu, Rajan's Friend
- Vineeth as Riyas, Laila's Son
- Indrans as Raveendran 'Ravi'
- Althaf Salim as Sujith
- Abhiram Radhakrishnan as Peter, Riyas's Driver
- Shanthi Krishna as Anitha Rajan, Pachu's Mother
- Nandhu as Pradeep
- Avyukth Menon as Ashwin
- Remya Suresh as Sulochana, Riyas' House Help
- Jain K Paul as Sub Inspector Lokesh Naik
- Sanju Sivram as Vivek
- Mohan Agashe as Nana, Nidhi's Grandfather
- Chhaya Kadam as Nani
- Piyush Kumar as Savio, Nidhi's brother
- Govind Pai as Loki
- Naslen K. Gafoor in a cameo appearance as Arun, Ashwin's elder brother
- Ahaana Krishna in a cameo appearance as Aishwarya 'Achu' Pradeep
- Shruti Ramachandran in a cameo appearance
- Anoop Sathyan as man in bus (cameo)
Production
Development
The title poster of the film was released on January 2021.[4]
Reception
Critical reception
This film received generally positive reviews from critics. Sajin Shrijith[11] critic from Cinema Express gave 3.5 out of 5 stars and stated that "but not too syrupy, experience that would leave a smile on my face, and that's exactly what I got"[12].Anna Mathews critic of Times of india wrote that "This is definitely a movie reminiscent of sweet 80s-90s films and one to watch with the family." and gave 3.5 out 5 stars[13].G. Ragesh critic of Onmanorama stated that "Avyukt Menon as the cute and funny little boy on his way back to Mumbai from Sabarimala was a joy."[7].A critic from Indian Express wrote that "Overall, for those seeking a relaxed viewing experience this weekend, Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum is likely a satisfactory choice." and gave 2.5 stars out of 5[14]
References
- BBFC. "Paachuvum Atbhutha Vilakkum". British Board of Film Classification. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- "'Pachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum' box office collection: Despite good reviews, the Fahadh starrer fails to impress; it mints ONLY Rs 11 crores". The Times of India. 2023-05-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- Views, Bolly. "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum Box Office Collection 2023 Malayalam".
- "Fahadh Faasil-Akhil Sathyan movie titled 'Pachuvum Athbhuthavilakkum'". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "The last schedule of Fahadh's 'Paachuvum Albudha Vilakkum' begins". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-08-30.
- "The last schedule of Fahadh's 'Paachuvum Albudha Vilakkum' begins". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "'Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum': Fahadh Faasil impresses in Akhil Sathyan debut". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum trailer has the quintessential feel-good vibe". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Fahadh Faasil starrer 'Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum' trailer out, late actor Innocent's presence adds to the excitement". OnManorama. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum: Vineeth recalls meeting a 10-year-old Fahadh Faasil!". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "'Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum' review: Laidback entertainer with enough laughs, romance". The New Indian Express. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum Movie Review: Laidback entertainer with enough laughs, romance". Cinema Express. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum Movie Review : A feel-good story". The Times of India. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "Pachuvum Athbutha Vilakkum movie review: This Fahadh Faasil starrer is worth adding to your weekend-watch list". The Indian Express. 2023-04-28. Retrieved 2023-04-30.
- "'Paachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum' box office collection day 1: Fahadh Faasil's film mints Rs 43 lakhs". The Times of India. 2023-04-29. ISSN 0971-8257. Retrieved 2023-08-30.