Santhosham Movie Review: A Simple Yet Touching Family Drama
Malayalam audiences have always cherished authenticity, preferring stories laced with delicate emotions. This is precisely why films like Santhosham find their way into theaters. Directed by Ajith Thomas, Santhosham was released on February 24, 2023, and is now streaming on ETV Win starting this month.
Santhosham Movie Review: Plot Overview
Suresh Kumar (Kalabhavan Shajohn) is a middle-class family man living with his wife Sindhu (Asha Aravind), their elder daughter Adhya (Anu Sithara), younger daughter Akshara (Lakshmi), and his mother Leela (Mallika Sukumaran). The story revolves around the sisters—Adhya and Akshara—who share a significant age gap. Adhya takes care of Akshara, preparing her for school before heading to work herself.
Girish (Amith) develops feelings for Adhya and begins silently admiring her, though she pays him no attention. Akshara, however, resents Adhya’s overbearing nature, believing her sister’s interference restricts her freedom. She secretly wishes Adhya would marry soon and move out.
When Akshara realizes Girish’s affection for Adhya, she subtly encourages him, becoming the catalyst for their budding relationship. However, when Adhya decides to marry Girish, their parents react unexpectedly. What follows is a series of emotional turns, testing the bonds between the sisters and reshaping their lives.
Santhosham Movie Still
Santhosham Movie Review: Analysis
Santhosham is a low-budget family drama centered on the complex relationship between two sisters. The film explores themes of middle-class life and generational differences while maintaining a simple, emotionally driven narrative.
Director Ajith Thomas keeps the focus firmly on the sisters, treating other characters with minimal depth. The film avoids major twists or surprises, relying instead on natural storytelling. While this approach preserves realism, it may fail to sustain curiosity about what happens next.
The pacing is slow initially, and though audiences might expect a gripping pre-climax or climax twist, the story concludes rather plainly. While Malayali viewers may appreciate its subtlety, others might find it underwhelming.
Santhosham Movie Review: Technical Aspects & Performances
As a small-scale family drama, Santhosham doesn’t carry much weight in terms of content or budget. The naturalistic treatment works, but the film feels more like a single-episode story rather than a full-fledged movie.
Anu Sithara and Lakshmi deliver compelling performances as the sisters. However, the cinematography, background score, and editing offer nothing particularly noteworthy.
Santhosham Movie Review: Verdict
Santhosham carries a message about love, control, and realizing someone’s worth only after they’re gone. While the emotional core is intact, the film lacks strong entertainment value.
Santhosham Movie Review: FAQs
1. Where can I watch Santhosham?
The film is now streaming on ETV Win.
2. Who are the lead actors in Santhosham?
Anu Sithara and Lakshmi play the sisters, with Amith, Kalabhavan Shajohn, and Asha Aravind in supporting roles.
3. Is Santhosham a family-friendly movie?
Yes, it’s a clean family drama suitable for all audiences.
4. Does Santhosham have any major twists?
No, the film relies on subtle storytelling rather than dramatic twists.
5. What is the runtime of Santhosham?
The exact runtime is not specified, but it is a standard-length feature film.
Disclaimer
This review reflects the author’s personal opinion. Viewer discretion is advised. The film’s availability on streaming platforms may vary by region. Images and release details are sourced from publicly available information.
Also Read: The 100 Movie Review: A Gripping Crime Thriller with a Social Message