Enthaada Saji Malayalam Movie

Feature Film | 2023 | Drama
Critics:
Unless you are a firm believer in Christianity with a penchant for TV serials, Enthadaa Saji may not appeal to you. The conflicts in the movie are as simple as an enthada (what's it?), and their resolutions are as uninteresting as an onnullya (it's nothing).
May 14, 2023 By Sreejith Mullappilly

Where To Watch:
Streaming:
   Amazon Prime

Enthadaa Saji is a misleading title because it gives the impression that the lead character of the movie is a man. Rather, a part of the title refers to Nivetha Thomas' Sajimol, a tomboy-like character. This perhaps explains why the 'Enthadaa' in the title intentionally has two As. There are multiple characters in the film who say that Sajimol is tomboyish, including even a Punyalan (Kunchacko Boban).


Sajimol can talk to and see the divine figure of Punyalan in her local church. Punyalan has a long beard and speaks like a common man, allowing Sajimol to have an instant rapport with him. The concept of a relationship between a Christian devout and a divine figure is not new in Malayalam cinema. For instance, at the heart of Ranjith's Pranchiyettan & the Saint is the delicate relationship between a Christian man and a saint. But unlike Pranchiyettan & the Saint, Enthadaa Saji does not have any major conflicts. In fact, whatever little conflict the movie has, it is as simple as an 'enthada' (what's it?) and its resolution is a mere 'onnulya' (it's nothing).


There are so many issues with the film that I don't even know where to start. Director Godfy Babu introduces us to a key character early in the film, but actor Jayasurya has very little to do in the role. It is like Jayasurya is there merely to add another character to the story.


Then there are the performances for the two main characters in the film. Nivetha Thomas doesn't have great writing for the tomboyish Sajimol, but she fails to do the heavy lifting that this film desperately needs. Nivetha does not convincingly behave boyishly in any part of the film, and her expressions hardly change throughout the movie. Although she tries to look convincing on screen, it is evident that she is not cut out for the role. Kunchacko Boban may be saddled with a weak character, but this is no excuse to merely show up and sleepwalk through the film. In some scenes of the film, Kunchacko does look the part, and his religious connection helps him with the Biblical elements of the film, but I did not quite buy him as Punyalan. Most of the scenes involving these two characters are big letdowns. Sidhartha Siva does a better job of playing the church priest and features in a couple of the funniest scenes in Enthadaa Saji.


The songs are also ill-timed. Then there is such a bizarre sequence of events in the film that involve one of the lead characters solving a big mystery with a series of Biblical lines. Enthadaa Saji is an easy watch, but I wonder whether this is a positive. Unless you are a firm believer in Christianity with a penchant for TV serials, the film may not appeal to you.

Sreejith Mullappilly

   

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