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Pani review: Surya Sagar and Junaiz VP manage to hold the fort in this predictable yet gripping action thriller

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Smrithi Mohan
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Pani review

Joju George’s directorial debut, Pani, is an action-thriller that is satisfyingly menacing to watch, thanks to the chilling performance by Surya Sagar and Junaiz VP.

Let’s be honest! Movie-makers love the criminal world. We have repeatedly seen filmmakers’ inclination to dive into the stories that gangs and hooligans of the real world always inspire and they make for a perfect movie plot. Joju George’s 2024 directorial debut, Pani, is exactly that.

The story is set within the inner circles of the gangs that knowingly and unknowingly rule the inner workings of a city also known as the cultural capital of Kerala, Thrissur. In between the everyday hustle, Giri and his aides find their lives consumed by revenge when two young men and aspiring criminals create chaos. This leads to a series of events driven by vengeance.

You will find all the cliches you would expect from a movie based on the lives of gangs running a city. There is a group of leaders who share a strong bond, almost like family. The protagonist who is celebrated as the good evil becomes an unstoppable force when his family is hurt. What makes these clichés engaging is the gradual buildup to a captivating cat-and-mouse chase between the characters.

Joju George has been part of many films before he established himself as a leading actor. While it's interesting to see him in a tough and rugged role, I believe we often overlook his talent for portraying romance on screen. In movies like Porinju Mariam Jose, and Joseph he showcased his ability to be a romantic hero, delivering a more mature love story and flashing a smile that could melt even the coldest hearts. Unfortunately, in this film, we don't get to see much of that romantic side, even though his love for his wife serves as a major driving force in this revenge thriller.

One character who ends up being anything but a lamp in the plot is Chandini Sreedharan's character as ACP Kalyani Prakash. Although the story does not revolve around gangs clashing with the law, it is disappointing to see that her character contributes very little to the progression of the narrative. Seema's Mangalath Devaki Amma as the strong matriarch manages to cement her presence as the head of the family with just two scenes. However, Ramesh Girija's Suni was another impactful character who managed to stand out despite the lack of dialogue. 

If there is anyone who gave this story the juice it needs, it's Sagar Surya’s Don Sebastian and Junaiz VP's Siju KT. The two gracefully transitioned from two young dreamers into an intimidating and horrifying duo. While Don's smile makes you look past his heart devoid of kindness, Siju keeps you on your toes making you wonder his next move. Like two peas in a pod, both of them lack empathy and are only driven by the adrenaline of being counted amongst the growing ‘goonda community.’ Their presence manages to leave you with goosebumps becoming a strong part of the movie's narrative.

Pani is currently streaming on SonyLIV!

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