What a magnificient Malayalam drama movie “O.Baby” (2023) written and directed by Ranjan Pramod and starring Dileesh Pothan, Haniya Nafisa, Devadath V.S., Athulya Srini, Gopalakrishnan, Saji Soman, Vishnu Agasthya among others.
The story starts with a betrothal ceremony of Merin (Athulya Srini), the daughter of Jomon (Saji Soman) when she almost says no to the wedding. That is how the caretaker family of Baby (Dileesh Pothan) is introduced to us.
Baby is the caretaker of the Thiruvachola family spanning more than 4 generations. The family ties are under strain with the patriarch Pappy Valyappachan (Gopalakrishnan) a disabled but ego strong individual with stern countenance.
Merin and Mini (Haniya Nafisa) are his great grandchildren and Mini gets along well with Basil (Devadath V.S.) who belong to the new age internet generation braving and breaking the traditions. They want to start a trekking adventure to a hilly point and are almost ready with their internet marketing when the great grandfather objects.
There is a simmering tension in the family and they espy Mini and Basil having something going along. Mini feels it first — that sensation of love with another individual though Basil is blase about it. All hell breaks loose and the patriarch orders termination of their relationship and Baby to relocate to another place.
The story is built up so beautifully and powerfully with superb cinematography and camera work, which is almost realistic. The screenplay is brilliant and you could feel the magnificence of the story as tempers start flaying about.
Powerful acting by Dileesh Pothan and others but what stands out is the absolutely mesmerising performance by Haniya Nafisa as she displays a range of emotions from love to happiness to despair and redemption. That is one brilliant actor to watch out for. The subtle messaging is so superbly done without any preaching — allow women to have their choice and listen to what women wants. IMDB 8/10
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