Pappayude Swantham Appoos (1992)

I had my expectations high with this one, thanks to the Fazil-Mammootty-Shobana trio. I knew that Shobana wouldn't have a huge role to play, but I wasn't expecting it to be this short either. Apart from that, Fazil and Mammukka won over my heart yet again, even as they broke it into little pieces in this emotionally overwhelming story of grief and family and love.

The one thing that will stay with me is how I couldn't bear to look at Mammukka in the last half hour of the movie. You can tell he really poured everything into his portrayal of Balagopalan, and I'm kind of shocked he didn't win an award for this. It will remain one of my favourite performances of his anyway. What a man.

Master Badusha, the child artist playing the eponymous Appoo, was exceptionally good and carried the entire movie. It was so easy to feel his alienation, his longing for affection, and his infectious need to have fun. The climax was as powerful as it was purely because of both his and Mammukka's acting strengths.

And yes, since I am me, I have to talk about Shobana, who was mostly here for songs (all of them bangers, thanks to Ilaiyaraaja) but still managed to leave an impact. Her beauty and grace almost make up for her absence from the rest of the movie.

In conclusion, Fahadh Faasil debuted with this movie, of course his career was going to go places. Shame on everyone who ever doubted him.


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