Bro Daddy
RATING
Introduction
Mohanlal and Prithviraj Sukumaran. You know you would be in for a treat when you see these two in one frame. And these were exactly my sentiments when the first look of the new Malayalam film Bro Daddy was unveiled. It seemed like a light hearted comedy which could be watched with the entire family. And I couldn’t hold back my excitement when it was announced that this will be a direct OTT release. And finally the film has made its way to hotstar. Does Bro Daddy manage to tickle your funny bone, stay tuned.
Story & Screenplay
Bro Daddy follows the story of a family who are caught in a bizarre situation. And that is all that I can reveal about the plot as anything else that I say will act as a spoiler. But the story is simple but hilarious and immensely enjoyable. As they say that making someone laugh is the hardest thing. Hence comedy can be a very tricky genre and more so if you are going to watch it with subtitles. To give you a perspective, films lile Hera Pheri and Andaz Apna Apna will be lost in translation if you are not familiar with the language and instead watch then with subtitles. So Bro Daddy had an uphill battle to contend with. But the screenplay is just so hilarious! Firstly the title of the film is a clever word play. It begins with the introduction of characters are the world which they belong to. Slowly the layers begin to peel off as you get to know their dynamics better. Soon and before you know it, the “double” twist in the screenplay catches you off guard. And from there on it is an endless laugh riot. The camaraderie between all the characters is so distinct and infectious that it seems you are a part of the confusion too. The screenplay unfolds at a good pace but the good part is that there is a seamless connection between the scenes. Sometimes in comedy the writers try to overdo things but here they are well within control of the proceedings. The drama gets slightly serious for a brief while but that is soon overcome by a heartwarming final act! The sequences involving the wedding planner is hilarious. Overall, a fun filled and brilliant screenplay!
Dialogues, Music & Direction
The dialogues are funny and often make you chuckle. This is particular a good thing because the humour stays intact and is not lost in translation. The music is soothing and melodious and takes the story forward. The BGM is excellent. The colour pallet used for the production design gives the film a fresh vibe to it. Needless to say that the cinematography is excellent. Director Prithviraj Sukumaran is in top form. He was in control throughout. And the humour which he was able to generate is commendable. Do not miss the BTS at the end of the film! I really enjoyed the transition between the final scene and the “Cut”.
Performances
The performances are outstanding here. Kavya Shetty, Nikhila Vimal, Unni Mukundan and Jaffer Idukki all have vital cameos that add to the star power(not that it didn’t have it already). Soubin Shahir and his impeccable comic timing are on full display here. As the wedding planner Happy Pinto he is simply hilarious. Infact I had to pause his sequences for a good 5 minutes as I found myself laughing hysterically before resuming the film. Kaniha as Elcy wins you over with her expressions. She was absolutely first rate. Meena as Annama is wonderfully restrained and soft, again a delight to watch. Kalyani Priyadarshan as Anna(notice the name of her and Meena) looks pretty and has an incredible screen presence. She is excellent here. Lalu Alex as Kurian is probably the one actor which I have discovered through this film. He is simply brilliant and does a fine balancing act between comedy and drama. He is phenomenal. Prithviraj Sukumaran as Eesho(again an interesting name) is yet again fantastic and there is a certain level of ease to his performance. And Mohanlal the veteran, the legend as John has a quiet charm to him. He is extremely affable in another memorable performance.
Conclusion
Bro Daddy is a hilarious and an immensely enjoyable film that will leave you with a smile on your face at the end. Available on Hotstar and Highly Recommended.