Hidden deep within a house that’s practically swallowed by greenery, an ex-army man lives with his son and daughter-in-law. His strictness hits hard, and there’s a sharp edge to the way he treats his son, yet the man seems to take it in stride. It makes you wonder—what’s the deal? Is there more simmering beneath the surface? To get those answers, you’ll have to check out the Onam release, ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’, starring Asif Ali, Aparna Balamurali, and Vijayaraghavan, under the direction of Dinjith Ayyathan.

Dinjith takes his sweet time, carefully planting clues that the abundant greenery and other small elements are more than just a pretty backdrop. As the story unfolds, your mind will race, crafting theory after theory about these characters, right up until the very end.

Vijayaraghavan and Asif Ali are undoubtedly the pillars holding this movie together. But the real ace up its sleeve is the story. Sure, it’s not entirely airtight, but there’s enough going on to keep you hooked right till the final frame.

Right from the start, it’s clear that something is off in the lives of Ajayan (Asif Ali) and Appu Pillai (Vijayaraghavan). Suspicion lingers throughout, as you’re left doubting the motives of each character. Vijayaraghavan shines in his portrayal of a 70-year-old man who is curt and fiercely independent. He navigates the role with remarkable finesse.

His performance in the movie is deeply nuanced, featuring a range of simple yet meaningful expressions. While the film is primarily a psychological thriller, it also explores various diseases and their effects on both patients and caregivers. Dinjith’s approach to depicting illness is particularly interesting, offering a balanced perspective that captures both the emotional experience of the person suffering and the impact on those who care for them.

Asif Ali delivers a grounded performance as Ajayan, striking a perfect balance in his acting, neither overdoing it nor holding back. Aparna Balamurali is equally impressive, with the story unfolding through her eyes, giving the audience a front-row seat to the unravelling events. Other actors like Ashokan, Jagadish, and Nishan (who is making a comeback in Malayalam films) also deliver impressive performances. The background score by Mujeeb Majeed is another standout aspect of the film, creating a haunting atmosphere that complements the movie’s overall theme beautifully.

The cinematography also enhances the film, using the beautiful yet eerie scenery of the house and its surroundings to evoke a sense of unease and claustrophobia. The visuals create an atmosphere where something feels subtly amiss.

Malayalam cinema is no stranger to psychological thrillers, but ‘Kishkindha Kaandam’ distinguishes itself by addressing multiple issues while seamlessly integrating a human element. The film creates a strong connection with its main characters, making them feel like people you’ve encountered or heard about throughout your life. As a result, you find yourself empathising with everyone involved, rather than taking sides.
This is definitely a must-watch film that will appeal to audiences of all ages, as it offers something for everyone.

An extravagantly malicious theatre critic who strikes fear into the thespians of 1930s London, Jimmy Erskine (Ian McKellen) is known for many proclivities, but mostly for his savagery. So when the paper’s new owner threatens his job at the Daily Chronicle, Jimmy’s response is as vicious as that of a cornered honey badger in a cravat. A vulnerable starlet (Gemma Arterton), a lovelorn newspaperman (Mark Strong) and even Jimmy’s live-in “secretary”, Tom (Alfred Enoch), are all collateral damage in his machiavellian scheme.

This adaptation of Anthony Quinn’s 2015 novel Curtain Call, with Patrick Marber as screenwriter and Anand Tucker (Hilary and Jackie) directing, should be lurid fun. And certainly, McKellen’s characterful countenance is put to expressive use: the camera lingers not just on his eye bags, but on a whole set of face luggage, all of it packed with spite and gleeful vitriol. But despite reported reshoots and a fresh edit after the film’s coolly received premiere last year, its sour spirit and a cluttered, clumsy third act remain a problem.

Evidently Donald Trump is not worried about losing the Swiftie vote.

On Sunday, five days after the world’s biggest pop star endorsed his 2024 opponent, Kamala Harris, the former president lashed out with a blunt, all-caps post on his Truth Social platform: “I HATE TAYLOR SWIFT!”

The post seemed certain to alienate millions of the singer’s devoted fans less than eight weeks ahead of the presidential election.

On Tuesday, following the presidential debate, Swift announced that she plans to vote for Harris and her running mate, Tim Walz, in November, adding that she wanted to clarify her position after Trump shared fake AI-generated images suggesting that she might support the Republican ticket. In an Instagram post, Swift said she was voting for Harris because “she fights for the rights and causes I believe need a warrior to champion them.”

“We can accomplish so much more in this country if we are led by calm and not chaos,” Swift wrote, signing her post, “Taylor Swift, Childless Cat Lady,” in a jab at Trump’s VP pick, JD Vance.

Swift’s post included a link to register to vote in the election on Vote.gov, and in the subsequent 24 hours, about 406,000 people clicked on it, showing the star’s reach.

In an interview with Fox News following Swift’s endorsement, Trump suggested that the singer “will probably pay a price in the marketplace” for her position, adding that he was not a fan.

Days later, the Trump campaign began selling new shirts that appeared to be an imitation of the poster for Swift’s billion-dollar grossing “Eras” tour, hawking the merch as a “Trump Era Shirt.”

This is hardly the first time Trump has clashed with celebrities, but his direct attack on Swift adds a dramatic subplot to an already tumultuous election season. Swift has previously encouraged voter turnout and advocated for progressive policies but her endorsement of Harris marks her most high-profile political statement to date.

As the election draws closer, the fallout from the feud could further galvanize both Swift’s fans and Trump’s base, while forcing Trump supporters who are also Swifties into an impossible choice.