With Drishyam 3 inching closer to release, expectations around director Jeethu Joseph are once more on the rise. Amid this anticipation, his latest Malayalam outing, Valathu Vashathe Kallan, starring Biju Menon and Joju George, quietly arrived in theaters last week, only to receive an underwhelming response. Reviews for the film have been mostly negative overall. It’s price remembering that Jeethu Joseph’s previous film, Mirage (2025), starring Asif Ali and Aparna Balamurali, was also a box office dud, and opinions didn’t improve even after it became available for streaming.
If Valathu Vashathe Kallan also seems to be a flop, this might be the second in a row, which could potentially damage confidence within the upcoming Drishyam 3 and its performance. So, does the film truly deserve the criticism it’s receiving, or does it still have enough going for it to make it a worthwhile watch despite its flaws? Let’s break it down.
Valathu Vashathe Kallan Plot: A Clash Of Power, Morality & Revenge
Antony Xavier, played by Biju Menon, is a corrupt Circle Inspector within the Kerala Police. He’s intelligent yet brutally ruthless, showing no mercy even toward victims of abuse and even his family. Antony shares a strained relationship together with his son, Philip, played by K. R. Gokul, though he’s attempting to reconcile with him.
Alternatively, Samuel Joseph, portrayed by Joju George, is a pc technician, ethical hacker, and data recovery expert. He leads a glad life together with his wife, Theresa, played by Lena, and their daughter, Irene Samuel, portrayed by Vyshnavi Raj. Irene is a law student and activist who speaks out against tyranny and abuse of authority. Someday, she goes missing, and Samuel approaches the police station, where Antony is leading the investigation into Irene’s disappearance.
What Works In Valathu Vashathe Kallan
The most important positive of the film is the performances, especially those of Biju Menon and Joju George. Each actors were quite good of their respective roles and delivered impressive performances. Nonetheless, K. R. Gokul’s performance felt barely annoying, though that will have been the intended effect.
The visuals are one other forte. The atmosphere of every scene effectively reflects the emotional state of the characters appearing in those moments. The film also starts well, with solid character introductions and establishment sequences. Overall, nearly all the first hour flows easily and stays engaging and enjoyable.
What Doesn’t Works In Valathu Vashathe Kallan
Biju Menon’s Antony suffers from an unconvincing character arc. The second half completely derails the momentum and goodwill in-built the primary half, weighed down by lazy writing, an overcomplicated plot, and unconvincing puzzle elements.
Towards the tip, every part falls apart, though the journey stays somewhat enjoyable. The film tries too hard to outsmart the audience, and the writing often feels convenient. The script itself becomes an issue, especially within the case of Joju George’s character, Samuel, and his family. We don’t feel the required level of empathy or sadness for his loss. While the film attempts to ascertain characters inside limited screen time, it fails to create a powerful emotional attachment to them. As mentioned earlier, because Antony is characterised in the primary half, the ending ultimately feels unconvincing.
Valathu Vashathe Kallan Verdict: Theater Watch Or OTT Wait?
The core concept of the film is sort of strong and had the potential to grow to be an exceptional movie if the script had been higher. Unfortunately, the writing doesn’t fully live as much as that potential. Despite its problematic elements, the film stays enjoyable to a certain extent.
As mentioned earlier, the performances are solid, which makes the film watchable. Considering all these aspects, it’s as much as the viewer to determine whether to look at it in theaters or wait for its OTT release. For the correct sort of audience, this film is just not a waste of cash, as it may possibly still provide a fairly satisfying viewing experience.
For those who enjoy performance-driven thrillers and may overlook writing flaws, Valathu Vashathe Kallan may go as a one-time theater watch. Otherwise, waiting for its OTT release could possibly be the safer alternative.
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