Bramayugam - Malayalam Cinema's Tumbbad ?

So yesterday I watched Bramayugam - The Age of Madness (2024) and decided to review it. 

I've bifurcated the review into 6 points viz.

• The Introduction
• The Director 
• The Cast
• The Storyline
• Verdict
• The Current Streak of Malayalam Cinema

The same is available on my YouTube Channel APWC

Do check it out by clicking on the link. (Review)

1. The Introduction

Bramayugam which loosely translates to The Age of Madness is one crazy ride and it does live up to its madness. 

The black and white format which isn't very unique but it does surprisingly add a lot of aesthetic beauty to each and every frame. 

In fact it makes it even more eerie and ghostly. The usage of colors would've never given the same results for sure.

The movie is set in 17h century. The set design although may seem vintage but it does its job of showcasing the era it is set in.

You might have seem Robert Eggers The Lighthouse, Martin Scorsese's Raging Bull, Schindler's list, Sin City , American History X, la Haine, C'mon C'mon, Malcolm and Marie, even TVF's Kota Factory and also Oppenheimer for that matter wherein the creators have decided to either put black and white scenes or entirely adapt the B&W format for their film. 

In such a case, the story becomes the highlight but the picturization becomes easy. 

2. The Director

Director Rahul Sadasivan whose previous film Bhoothakaalam which is a  supernatural horror film  was such eerily crafted that the last 10 minutes of the film scared the shit out of me. And I'm not someone who gets scared easily.

Also, the best part is there are no jump scares. 

I won't spoil it for you but it does deal with this one simple ideology 

"We fear that which we cannot see."

Ram Gopal Varma had tweeted that he hasn't seen a more realistic horror film than Bhoothakaalam since William Friedkin's The Exorcist (1973) and he is absolutely right.

Although there isn't any similarities, still Bramayugam occasionally did remind me of Tumbbad.

The exact feeling of what will happen next stays consistent throughout the film 

Bramayugam is not a horror film by any means. It's just Mammotty's character that I'm scared off.

3. The Cast

Mammooty steals the show in every frame he is. He plays Kodumon Potti.

His maniacal laugh, his erratic mood swings and his unpleasant sense of humour all create an experience worth your time.

avante manasil enthaanu nadakkunnathennu ningalkku manasilaakilla.

Mammookha's recent flicks like Kaathal – The Core, Kannur Squad, Nanpakal Nerathu Mayakkam, Bheeshma Parvam and also his cameo in Abraham Ozler shows that he is the G.O.A.T  raising the bar 1 film at a time. 

His acting throughout the film is a masterclass for new gen actors especially that one scene in the climax.

Arjun Ashokan and Sidharth Bharathan are just the actors you need in order to elevate the rest of the film in the absence of Mammooty.  I can't believe Arjun Ashokan is the same guy from Romancham.

Also, Amalda Liz as Yakshi is a sight for sore eyes in an entirely male-led cast.  

It was pretty much understandable why Koran went behind Yakshi. I mean who wouldn't right?

4. The Storyline

The entire movie runs on the shoulders of 3 actors whom we see on screen and in total there are 5 that's it. 

Revealing anything about the story will definitely impact your watching experience and hence I will refrain from that. But I can reveal that the storyline ties in Mahabharata, the folklore of Yakshi or Yakshinis, scriptures like Ashtadasha Kandam and the Portuguese invasion during the 17th century.

Pakidakali, Pachisi, Chaupar or Chausar which we commonly know as LUDO is played in the movie and a connection is established with the same game played between Pandavas and Kauravas. I genuinely like it when writers make an attempt to connect Indian History and Mythology in their films.  

The background score is hauntingly beautiful. It sets up the upcoming premise and makes you inquisitive enough to ask what will happen next. 

Verdict 

I will happily give ⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 stars to Bramayugam for its B&W Execution, Exceptional Acting, Brilliant Direction and Engrossing Screenplay which could've been trimmed a little but that's just my opinion 

I'm genuinely excited and interested in seeing what Rahul Sadasivan will come up with next time. He has the ability to shape up the Indian Horror genre especially in the psychological-horror space, something which a lot of Indian directors have messed up in recent times.   

The Current Streak of Malayalam Cinema

This has been an interesting year for Malayalam cinema and its just March. 

Starting with Aaattam, Abraham Ozler, Malaikottai Vaaliban, Bramayugam, Premalu, Manjummel Boys which have been experimental and quite successful ventures in cementing the prowess of Malayalam cinema. It is breaking all barriers and creating new records.  

We still have Aadujeevitham, Ajayante Randam Moshanam, Varshangalkku Shesham, Aavesham, Jeethu Joseph's RAM and also L2: Empuraan no idea whether the latter ones are releasing this year but it will be a treat for the all Malayalam cinema fans. 

Kudos to the creators.

Njaan Valare Santheaashavaanaanu

I'm eagerly waiting for Abraham Ozler, Premalu and Manjummel Boys OTT release 

Avarude OTT Releasinaayi Njaan Kaathirikkunnu Pinne Njaan Review Cheyyam

Comment down your thoughts on Bramayugam - The Age of Madness (2024).