Shubharathri movie review: A thrilling family drama

Director: K.P. Vyasan

Cast: Siddique, Dileep, Anu Sitara, Sai Kumar, Indrans,

K. P. Vyasan's Shubharathri, inspired from real-life incidents that took place in Kollam, is a serious family drama revolving around Muhammad’s (Siddique) life.

It specifically deals with certain incidents that happen a few days prior to his first Haj pilgrimage. The first half of the film comprises a series of events wherein the family members and friends of Muhammad, who is a self-made and socially committed person and a darling of the villagers, are introduced. His house is swarmed by family members and friends who come to give him good wishes.

Everything seems normal until Muhammad wakes up in the middle of the night startled by a dream.

Despite portraying a series of events that cement a conventional family drama, the delay in establishing the first half makes the audience a bit restless.

However, the director is able to maintain the suspense that unfolds in the second half. It is not until the interval that Dileep is introduced. The second half tells about Dileep’s character and how he lands in an unfortunate and helpless situation. Dileep, who plays the character Krishnan, has seamlessly handled the role by portraying emotions just the way audiences would like them to be.

The cast also includes other prominent faces like Indrans, Shanthi Krishna, Nadirsha, Asha Sharath, Nedumudi Venu, Sai Kumar, Sheelu Abraham, KPAC Lalitha, Anu Sithara, Suraj Venjaramood, Vijay Babu and Aju Varghese.

However, not many of them have anything outstanding to perform. Moreover, the elaborate portrayal of people from Kerala getting recruited to ISIS and Sai Kumar’s son dying in Syria under suspicious circumstances right in the beginning give a feeling that the story might somehow have a connection with it. However, it is not that crucial. Siddique does his part convincingly well and can be considered as the hero of the film.

Music director Bijibal and lyricist Harinarayanan have done a good job as usual.

The cinematography and background score are convincing. Though Shubharathri doesn’t have anything path-breaking to narrate, it will please family audience.