Hridayapoorvam Review: Mohanlal Shines in Family Drama

Kochi, August 28: You know a film is working when it doesn’t feel like it’s trying too hard. No flashy reveals, no digital-age storytelling gimmicks. Just a familiar setting, characters who talk like people you know, and actors who know exactly when to hold back. That’s Hridayapoorvam. And for a lot of Malayalis watching it this Onam, that’s more than enough.

The moment Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad announced they were teaming up again, expectations started simmering. Not in a high-stakes, viral-hype kind of way. More like the way you look forward to a family recipe during a festival. You know what’s coming, you just hope it tastes the same.

Familiar, But Not Tired

The plot? It’s simple. That’s not a criticism. In fact, that’s the point. This is a film made for people who’ve had enough of twisty plots and cold characters. Right from the start, Hridayapoorvam feels lived-in. The humour is easygoing, the pace is deliberate, and the emotional beats land without any dramatic buildup.

Mohanlal, as expected, is effortless. There’s no attempt to dominate the screen. He plays it easy, like he’s having a conversation with the audience rather than performing for them. Malavika Mohanan brings a certain calm to the screen. Her role isn’t loud but it leaves a mark. And then there’s Sangeeth Prathap, who brings the laughs without turning into a caricature. He knows exactly how far to push the comedy and then stop.

Safe Territory, But That’s OK

It’s a very safe film. That’s been one of the main critiques. Lensmen Reviews called it predictable, and it is. You’ll see the ending coming halfway through. Subplots are touched on but never fully explored. The one involving Siddique, for instance, barely lifts off. But maybe that’s the deal. This isn’t a story about conflict or change. It’s about comfort. About small joys and gentle humour. And not everyone’s going to be on board with that.

There are moments that don’t land. A few comedy scenes feel recycled. Some dialogues drift into cliché. But the film never loses its footing completely. It knows the mood it wants and stays there.

Viewers Are On Board

The online response has been mostly positive. No over-the-top fan celebrations. Just people genuinely enjoying a movie that makes them feel something real. Koimoi highlighted a user giving it 3.75 stars, praising how it avoids the usual overacting and melodrama. One post described it as “not extravagant, just on point.” That line pretty much sums it up.

The Times of India reported that viewers are calling it the perfect Onam release. Khaleej Times pointed out how the cast’s chemistry made the film click, especially the dynamic between Mohanlal and Sangeeth. Mathrubhumi focused on the nostalgia it brings, saying it captures the same warmth that Anthikad’s earlier films had. And IndiaTimes, though more reserved, acknowledged the solid performances and how the film moves at its own pace without losing attention.

Even those who found flaws weren’t too harsh. Some said the comedy felt old-school. Others felt the screenplay could have dug a little deeper. But there’s a reason none of that seems to be sticking as hard criticism. This isn’t a film asking to be picked apart. It’s asking to be felt.

Not Loud, But Lasting

Malayalam cinema has been in an experimental phase lately. Thriller after thriller, gritty dramas, stylistic risks. It’s made for exciting headlines. But Hridayapoorvam is not that. It’s quiet. It’s built on simple ideas. It wants to remind people that cinema can also be about connection, not spectacle.

And right now, that seems to be enough. According to The Economic Times, it’s pulling in steady crowds during the Onam season. Not breaking records, but filling theatres the old-fashioned way. With trust.

Sathyan Anthikad hasn’t reinvented anything here. He’s just done what he does best. Telling stories that feel like they were passed down over dinner tables. And Mohanlal, for his part, reminds us that good acting isn’t always about intensity. Sometimes, it’s about knowing when to step aside and let the moment speak.

For the families walking out of theatres smiling this week, Hridayapoorvam seems to have done exactly what it set out to do.

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Ayesha Khan

Entertainment Correspondent – [email protected] – Web

Covers films, television, streaming, and celebrity culture with a focus on storytelling trends.

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