Hridayapoorvam Movie Review: Mohanlal, Malavika, Sangeeth Shine in Emotionally Rich But Disjointed Drama
Sandeep Balakrishnan (played superbly by Mohanlal) is an older bachelor operating a cloud kitchen in Kochi.
Hridayapoorvam is among the most confusing movies in recent years—not because of a convoluted narrative or a psychological mystery, but owing to its strangely disjointed narrative. Nearly every scene is a standalone short film, isolated from the one preceding it or following it. This separation makes it a disorienting experience, and therefore it is hard for the audience to adjust to the mood of the film. Most disappointing is to see experienced director Sathyan Anthikad, who had hitherto been able to insert humour easily into the texture of day-to-day life, inserting gag sequences into a plot that needs subtlety and candour in a bumbling fashion. The narrative is simple but brimful of emotions.
The story is uncomplicated but emotionally dense. Sandeep Balakrishnan (played superbly by Mohanlal) is an older bachelor operating a cloud kitchen in Kochi. Following a heart transplant, he starts his gradual recovery with the assistance of his caregiver, Jerry (a noteworthy performance by Sangeeth Prathap). One day, Haritha (Malavika Mohanan), the architect daughter of the heart donor from Pune, pays him a visit. She requests Sandeep's presence at her engagement, expecting his presence to be a tribute to her late father. Sandeep is reluctant at first but ultimately agrees and goes with Jerry. But the romance disintegrates suddenly, causing Sandeep and Haritha tensions and landing Sandeep with a back sprain that makes him have to prolong his visit. In the process, he develops an unplanned emotional bond with Haritha and Devika (Sangita Madhavan Nair), her mother.
