Engineering student Sam, played by Basil Joseph, dreams of reviving his college's legendary Arohan fest, which was shut down years ago after an unfortunate incident. Meanwhile, retired goon Kuttan, portrayed by Tovino Thomas, aspires to restart his life through music by forming a local troupe for a temple festival. When their ambitions collide, chaos, comedy, and celebration ensue in this entertaining battle.
Movie Review: A Fun Riot
Campus movies have always held a special charm, and Athiradi taps beautifully into that nostalgia. The film blends humour, emotions, music, and mass entertainment into a thoroughly enjoyable package. Sam is a typical Gen Z youngster constantly underestimated, but beneath his carefree attitude lies determination and emotion. The film connects with an entire generation often labelled as hopeless or lazy, gently reminding us that today's youth may simply be finding life in their own way.
Performances
Both Tovino Thomas and Basil Joseph deliver highly engaging performances with effortless comic timing and emotional depth. Tovino's Kuttan will easily become one of his most celebrated comic roles, revealing a completely different shade of the actor. Basil once again proves why he remains one of the most relatable performers among today's younger actors. Vineeth Sreenivasan and Shaan Rahman appear as themselves, creating laugh-out-loud moments, while Jeo Baby steals scenes as a caricatured police officer.
Technical Aspects
Samuel Henry's cinematography beautifully captures the vibrant campus atmosphere and festival spirit. Chamman Chacko's editing keeps the pace energetic, and Vishnu Vijay's music elevates the celebratory mood. Akhil Damodhar's art direction and Mashar Hamsa's costumes add to the film's charm.
Direction and Writing
Director Arun Anirudhan, known for co-writing Minnal Murali, makes an impressive debut. Written alongside Paulson Skaria, the film may not offer a completely fresh storyline—campus politics, festivals, and friendship dramas are familiar territory. However, what makes Athiradi work is its energy, humour, emotional connect, and unapologetic entertainment value.
Limitations
The film heavily revolves around male friendships and male emotions, leaving actresses like Zarin Shihab and Riya Shibu with very little to do beyond supporting the heroes. Stronger female characters and more emotional layering could have elevated the film further.
Conclusion
Despite its familiar setup, Athiradi turns out to be one of the most enjoyable entertainers in recent times—a colourful, laughter-filled celebration of youth, friendship, dreams, and second chances.
