Ashakal Aayiram Movie Review: Jayaram’s performance carries an otherwise uneven family drama

Directed by G Prajith, the film relies strongly on a sense of “throwback” charm. It tries to recreate the light-hearted family atmosphere seen in Jayaram’s popular films. Written by Jude Anthany Joseph and Aravind Rajendran, the screenplay follows a familiar pattern of middle-class problems and situational humour. The film works mainly because it allows Jayaram (Hariharan) to play to his strengths and evoke nostalgia. For example, the widely trolled BGM and Jayaram’s famous expression as Major Sreekumar are used wisely here, bringing the theatre down with laughter. However, it does not offer much that feels new or surprising. The film openly talks about nepotism and the “godfather culture” in the film industry. This becomes ironic because the actors are a real-life father and son. However, this self-awareness works against the film as Kalidas Jayaram’s (Ajeesh Hariharan) performance feels weak. Rather than questioning the “nepo-kid” label, his acting sometimes reinforces it. The female lead, played by Asha Sharath, is perhaps the film’s weakest link in terms of writing. Portraying a frail, submissive housewife who exists solely to cater to the men in her life, her character lacks depth and agency. Her constant optimism despite severe financial hardship feels more annoying than moving. A late attempt to give her a strong dialogue does not help. Overall, the character feels disconnected from the reality of the modern woman. Although Sharaf U Dheen genuinely tries to carry the anti-villain role, the motives behind his character’s hostility feel weak. On a brighter note, the supporting cast including Ishaani Krishna, Ramesh Pisharody, Anand Manmadhan, Akhil, and Senthil Krishna etc delivers good performances that helps the film. As for the music, while the recreated version of “Dil Dil Salaam Salaam” hits the right nostalgic notes, the rest of the soundtrack fails to make any real impact. -Aiswarya Sudha