Hello Mummy Malayalam Movie
If horror sequences are designed more for amusement than for genuine fright, Hello Mummy achieves this goal admirably. While its situations are largely predictable, the decision to root the central conflict in the life of a young protagonist adds a touch of novelty. Debutant director Vaishakh Elans introduces the story with a mysterious setup before delving into the life of pet shop owner Bony Philip, portrayed by Sharaf U Dheen. Written by Sanjo Thomas, the screenplay combines elements of fantasy and comedic horror, aiming to deliver a family-friendly experience infused with emotional undertones, particularly in the mother-daughter relationship.
The plot gains momentum when Bony succumbs to family pressure to settle down. Despite being a businessman, his lack of responsibility frustrates his father, Philip (Johny Antony). His brother-in-law Thomson (Adhri Joe), through his marriage bureau, introduces Bony to Stephy, played by Aishwarya Lekshmi. As the only daughter of mathematics professor Samuel (Jagadish), Stephy has her own set of conditions for marriage. Her family's Shimla roots introduce a witchcraft dimension to the narrative. Though Bony admires Stephy's academic brilliance, he dismisses her warnings, setting the stage for the film's supernatural twists.
The story becomes engaging when Bony confronts the truth behind Stephy's revelations. Her late mother, Grace, remains tethered to her daughter as a possessive spirit, interfering in Bony's life by punishing him for irresponsible behavior in Stephy's home. Aishwarya Lekshmi shines in a pivotal role, capturing the nuanced emotions of a daughter still in conversation with her mother's spirit. Her confident portrayal makes a lasting impression, utilizing her screen presence effectively.
Sharaf U Dheen brings a lively charm to Bony, navigating the character's comic predicaments with skillful timing. However, some comedic sequences might feel reminiscent of earlier Malayalam comedies. The narrative stumbles in the second half as the introduction of Shimla's black magic practitioners causes the story to waver. Attempts at humor falter, particularly in scenes featuring Bony's friend Bichu (Joemon Jyothir) and a meddling journalist (Aju Varghese), which fail to leave a significant impact.
Bindu Panicker's portrayal of Kanjamma, a black magic practitioner, starts dramatically but devolves into a caricature, reducing her character's significance for the sake of humor. Although Hello Mummy hints at a fresh premise early on, it struggles to sustain its momentum, especially when compared to other films in the genre. Director Elans enhances the narrative with polished visuals by Praveen Kumar Kalki and competent visual effects, creating an appealing fantasy-horror-comedy atmosphere. Yet, the uneven storytelling undermines the film's potential. A hint at a sequel in the climax leaves room for improvement in future installments.
Music by Jakes Bejoy provides a fitting background score, elevating certain scenes, though the songs themselves are lackluster.At some point, this horror comedy rouses your hopes with its occasional funny moments, but the plot conflict falls flat towards the end after a surge in prologue.
