Aavesham (Review): A Rollercoaster Ride of Action and Comedy

Jithu Madhavan’s second directorial venture, following the success of Romancham, is a tale of three engineering students venturing into the heart of Bangalore, only to find themselves ensnared in a web of brutality orchestrated by their senior counterparts. The friends befriend a gangster (Ranga) to take revenge on their seniors.

In “Aaranya Kaandam” (2010), Pasupathy (played by Sampath Raj) tells a story to other gang members about Gajendran as an introduction to Gajendran’s cruelties. The gang members who hear the story tease Pasupathy, disbelieving it. However, they later witness something that relates to the story. Ranga’s story in Aavesham bears similarities to this track.

Sameer Thahir’s masterful cinematography provides breathtaking visuals that enhance the film’s narrative. The well-choreographed action sequences, courtesy of Chethan Dsouza, add a layer of adrenaline-fueled excitement to the proceedings. Vivek Harshan’s deft editing ensures a seamless flow of the narrative, maintaining engagement from start to finish. Sushin Shyam’s background score serves as the heartbeat of the film, infusing every scene with palpable excitement.

Directorial Brilliance and Narrative Pacing

Jithu Madhavan’s directorial prowess shines through in every frame, seamlessly weaving together elements of comedy, action, and heartfelt moments. “Aavesham” belongs to the gangster comedy genre, akin to films like “Jigarthanda” (2014) in Tamil cinema. The narrative also reminded me of “Jigarthanda” in a positive way. In “Jigarthanda”, Karthik (Sidharth) attempts to get closer to “Assault” Sethu and his men to learn more about him in order to make a film about him. Similarly, in “Aavesham”, the friends try to befriend Ranga to build a gang and seek revenge on their seniors.

However, the film falters slightly post-interval, losing momentum before regaining its footing towards the gripping finale. The audience favorite foot-tapping song ‘Illuminati’ appears only during the end titles. It would have enhanced the theatrical experience if it had been included in the storyline, perhaps somewhere in the early second half.

Riveting Performances: Fahadh Faasil and Sajin Gopu Shine

Fahadh Faasil, whose electrifying performance steals the show. Faasil’s portrayal of Ranga exudes charisma and intensity, delivering a riveting performance. Alongside him, Sajin Gopu shines as Ambaan, Ranga’s sidekick, bringing laughter to the screen with remarkable depth and nuance. The chemistry between Ranga and Ambaan is palpable, lighting up the screen whenever they appear together. And there are few new actors who also did well.

In conclusion, ‘Aavesham’ is a rollercoaster ride of laughter and mass moments, propelled by stellar performances. Despite its minor flaws, the film is a testament to Jithu Madhavan’s directorial vision and Fahadh Faasil – Sajin Gopu deo with Sushin Shyam make it a must-watch for fans of Malayalam cinema.