The Malayalam film Ponman, a promising adaptation of G.R. Indugopan’s novel Nalanchu Cheruppakar, premiered in theatres on Thursday, January 30, generating significant buzz among moviegoers and critics alike. The film marks the directorial debut of veteran production designer Jothish Shankar, who masterfully brings Indugopan’s compelling narrative to the screen. The screenplay, a collaborative effort between Indugopan and Justin Mathew, seamlessly blends the novel’s essence with a contemporary cinematic flair.

Leading the cast is the versatile Basil Joseph, who takes on a pivotal role, showcasing his acting prowess beyond his acclaimed directorial ventures. His performance is complemented by a strong ensemble cast including Sajin Gopu, Lijomol Jose, Deepak Parambol, Anand Manmadhan, Rajesh Sharma, and Jaya Kurup, each contributing to the film’s rich tapestry of characters and relationships.

Ponman represents a significant return to acting for Basil Joseph, who has previously garnered attention for his directorial work, including the critically acclaimed superhero film Minnal Murali (2021). His recent acting credits include roles in Sookshmadarshini (available for streaming on Disney+ Hotstar), alongside Nazriya Nazim, and Pravinkoodu Shappu, featuring Soubin Shahir and Chemban Vinod. This diverse range of roles highlights Joseph’s commitment to exploring varied characters and pushing the boundaries of his craft.

The film’s release has been met with enthusiastic reception on social media. Audiences are particularly praising the faithfulness of the adaptation to the source material, hailing it as one of the best cinematic interpretations of G.R. Indugopan’s work to date. Basil Joseph’s performance has also received significant commendation, solidifying his reputation as a talented actor. Beyond the performances, the film’s technical aspects, including cinematography, editing, and sound design, have also garnered positive feedback.

One of the users said, “Ponman is an amazing movie with a solid script. A sure shot winner. Basil Joseph, what are you up to? What a wonderful performance @basiljoseph25 Sajin Gopu and Lijo Mol also delivered fine performances. The story and treatment of the movie is the key.”

Another said, “The best film adaptation of GR Indugopan novels so far. Last thirty minutes were terrific. Undoubtedly Basil Joseph’s career best performance is in this film. Jyothish shankar’s debut, Loved it terribly.”

Meanwhile one said, “A gripping drama movie with good performance from Basil Joseph…thin storyline with slow-paced screenplay .. partly engaging.. Last 30 mins were good enough.. Cast did their part well.. felt screenplay is flat and slightly underwhelming in most places but last 30 mins were good enough .. ending conversation between lijomol and basil Joseph. Overall a very okayish movie.”

Beyond Ponman, Basil Joseph’s future projects hold considerable anticipation. Rumours of a collaboration with renowned actor Suriya on a new film, potentially backed by Mammootty Kampany, have ignited significant excitement among fans. While this collaboration remains unconfirmed, it speaks to Joseph’s growing influence and potential within the Malayalam and broader Indian film industries. The success of Ponman undoubtedly strengthens his position as both a highly sought-after actor and a promising director.

On Wednesday, the title and a captivating teaser were unveiled for Ravi Mohan’s RM 34, a film poised to mark a significant departure for the actor. Now titled Karathey Babu, and directed by Ganesh K Babu (known for Dada), the movie promises a compelling political narrative, a first for Mohan’s filmography.

The teaser itself is a cleverly crafted scene mimicking the atmosphere of the Tamil Nadu parliamentary assembly. A dramatic exchange unfolds between veteran actors KS Ravikumar and Nasser, focusing on the significance of a politician’s name – a subtle nod to Ravi Mohan’s own transition from his well-known screen name, Jayam Ravi, to Shanmugha Babu.

Ravikumar, in the scene, questions the Chief Minister and his party’s insistence on knowing a minister’s former name. Nasser’s response emphasizes the weight a name can carry, highlighting its crucial relevance. Ravi Mohan, portraying the MLA of RK Nagar, then steps in to clarify his own past identity as Karathey Babu, effectively mirroring the thematic core of the film.

Adding intrigue to the cast is the presence of Daudee Jiwal, daughter of Tamil Nadu’s current Director General of Police (DGP), Shankar Jiwal, making her mark as the female lead. This impressive ensemble cast also boasts a large supporting cast, including Shakthi Vasudevan, Vtv Ganesh, Subramaniam Siva, Kavithalayaa Krishnan, Pradeep Antony, Raja Rani Pandian, Sandeep Raj, Knife Naren, Sindhupriya, Ajith Gosh, Aravindh, Kalki Raja, Sri Dhanya, Anandhi, Ilan, Sam Anderson, Vetrivel, and Nandhini Senthamizh, promising a rich tapestry of characters that will undoubtedly contribute to the film’s political intrigue.

Behind the scenes, the production boasts a strong technical team. Sam CS provides the musical score, Ezhil Arasu K handles the cinematography, and Kathiresh Alagesan edits the film. The screenplay is a collaborative effort by Rathna Kumar, Bakkiyam Sankar, and director Ganesh K Babu. Screen Scene Studios produces Karathey Babu, marking their third collaboration with Jayam Ravi, following the successful releases of Agilan (2023) and Brother.

While plot details remain shrouded in secrecy, the teaser leaves little doubt that Karathey Babu will be a politically charged drama. With production underway, anticipation builds for the official release date announcement. The film’s unique premise, coupled with its impressive cast and crew, positions Karathey Babu as a promising addition to the Tamil film landscape.

The highly anticipated collaboration between Sivakarthikeyan, Atharvaa, Ravi Mohan, and director Sudha Kongara has finally received a title: Parasakthi. This announcement, made on Wednesday, January 29th, comes with the release of a captivating teaser from Dawn Pictures, the production banner behind the film. The teaser immediately establishes a period setting, plunging viewers into a world of student activism and political intrigue.

Sivakarthikeyan takes centre stage as a compelling and enigmatic student leader, rallying the students of Pachaiyappa’s College to form a powerful, unified force. His charisma and determination are palpable, hinting at the revolutionary spirit that drives the narrative. Atharvaa plays a fellow student, his character intertwined with Sreeleela’s, who appears to be his romantic interest. Their relationship adds a layer of personal stakes to the unfolding political drama.

In stark contrast to the student revolutionaries, Ravi Mohan portrays a menacing antagonist, his presence a constant threat to Sivakarthikeyan’s ambitious plans. The dynamic between these characters promises intense conflict and high stakes.

The choice of title, Parasakthi, carries significant weight. It evokes memories of the legendary 1952 film of the same name, directed by Krishnan–Panju and written by M. Karunanidhi, starring the iconic Sivaji Ganesan. Parasakthi remains a cinematic landmark in Tamil cinema, particularly celebrated for its powerful courtroom scene. This new Parasakthi aims to build on that legacy, inheriting the mantle of a powerful narrative with a focus on social and political themes.

The teaser successfully hints at the film’s scope and ambition. With Sudha Kongara’s sharp direction and a screenplay co-written with Arjun Nadesan, Parasakthi promises a gripping tale of student politics and social change. The technical crew further enhances anticipation, featuring the exceptional talents of Ravi K Chandran (cinematography), Sathish Surya (editing), and GV Prakash Kumar (music).

This marks a significant milestone for Prakash Kumar, as it is his 100th film as a composer. Aakash Baaskaran, under his Dawn Pictures banner, completes this impressive team, producing a film with high expectations.