Ponman – Telugu-Dubbed Movie Streaming on Hotstar

Title of the Film: Ponman

Date of Release: March 14, 2025Featuring: Reju Sivadas, Jaya Kurupp, Midhun Venugopal, Thankam Mohan, Shylaja P. Ambu, Sandhya Rajendran, Rajesh Sharma, Anand Manmadhan, Deepak Parambol, Lijomol Jose, Basil Joseph, Sajin Gopu, and Kiran Peethambaran
Director: Shankar Jothish
Producer: Ajith Vinayaka
Director of Music: Justin Varghese

Basil Joseph’s most recent Malayalam movie, Ponman, has arrived on OTT and is now accessible in Telugu as well. This is how we interpret this gloomy comedy-drama.

The narrative

PP Ajesh (Basil Joseph) has a unique job: he helps underprivileged families meet social expectations by lending them gold at weddings. He anticipates receiving payment for the 25 sovereigns of gold he gives to Steffi (Lijomol Jose) the day following the wedding. She declines, nevertheless, and relocates to Kollam, the hometown of her vicious husband Mariyano (Sajin Gopu). Ajesh sets out on a perilous adventure because he is determined to get back what is rightfully his. What difficulties does he encounter? Why did he pick such a risky line of work? Did Mariyano know about the agreement?

Basil Joseph demonstrates his talent for choosing unusual roles once more. The picture gains an intriguing depth by experimenting with dark comedy against a socially relevant context. He skillfully blends humor and emotion in his captivating presentation.

As Mariyano, Sajin Gopu portrays a cruel and unpredictable figure in a stunning performance. He keeps the audience interested by surprising them with a whole different demeanor after creating an impression in Aavesham.

Despite having little on-screen time, Lijomol Jose leaves an impression by convincingly playing Steffi. Anand Manmadhan and Sandhya Rajendran are among the supporting cast members that give the story dimension. One of the movie’s best features is the humor intercut with somber scenes.
Although the first half establishes a solid framework, the second half lags and makes the movie seem slow. The writing falters, resulting in scenes that do not have the desired effect.

Although Basil Joseph does a good job, audiences may find it hard to accept him in a serious environment because of his history in comedic parts. An actor with a more intense on-screen presence might have been more appropriate for the role.

Despite having less on-screen time, Lijomol Jose makes a strong impact as Steffi. Among the supporting cast members that provide depth to the narrative are Anand Manmadhan and Sandhya Rajendran. The comedy that is intercut with serious situations is one of the film’s greatest aspects.
The second half drags and gives the impression that the film is moving slowly, even if the first half creates a strong structure. Scenes that do not have the intended impact are the result of poor writing.

Basil Joseph performs well, but because of his background in comedic roles, audiences could find it difficult to accept him in a serious setting. The role might have been better suited for an actor with a more dramatic on-screen presence.

Although director Jothish Shankar makes a respectable effort, the movie could have been better with a more polished script and more compelling character development. Although Justin Varghese’s music serves a purpose, it does not make an impression. The film’s environment is well captured by Sanu John Varghese’s cinematography, but Nidhin Raj Arol’s editing should have been more precise to keep the plot moving more tightly. The production values are respectable.

Conclusion:

Overall, Ponman offers a respectable idea that combines societal criticism with dark humor. Despite Basil Joseph’s excellent performance, the picture suffers from a plodding second half, undeveloped characters, and a sudden climax. For those who like unusual dramas, it is a decent one-time viewing because, in spite of its shortcomings, it has a few interesting moments.