As soon as Nivin Pauly’s name comes to the hearts of Malayalam cinema lovers and cinema lovers across the world, the first thing that comes to mind is the timeless blockbuster romantic film of 2015 ‘Prem’ and its happy moments. However, a departure from his usual style, the Malayalam superstar returns to the screen with a very mature, cool and innovative romance in director Girish Eddy’s new release ‘Bethlehem Kudamba Unit’. Instead of cinematic glitz or heavy melodrama, the film is based on our everyday complex relationships, neighborhood environment, family joys and those untold, tender moments that make love so real, simple and close to the heart.
Movie Name: Bethlehem Kudumba Unit
Director: Girish AD
Starring: Nivin Pauly, Mamita Baiju, Sangeet Pratap, Tabu (many more in supporting roles)
the story
The story begins in the beautiful town of Mundakayam in Kerala. Here Ashley (Mamita Baiju) is living a happy life with her family. His life takes a turn when his parents suddenly decide to shift to Ernakulam. This means Ashley has to leave her college friends, her music band, her old books and childhood memories behind.
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Carrying her sweet memories with her, she goes to Ernakulam with a heavy heart and no matter what happens, she finds true happiness in nothing. But he soon discovers that his neighbors are very interesting people. While the three Morelli sisters enliven the atmosphere in the house opposite, brothers Justin (Nivin Pauly) and Joel (Sangeet Pratap) enliven the area next door.
When her laptop breaks, she meets Justin, who is in his mid-30s and still single. College-going Ashley takes an interest in the lonely Justin, and awkward conversations spark a strange romance between two people who are vastly different in age. But can Justin and Ashley find their happily ever after despite societal norms and pressures? The film explores this question without turning their romance into a generic love story or making fun of their age difference.
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Direction: Girish AD’s signature style
Director Girish A.D. His greatest characteristic is that he takes very common and familiar subjects and weaves realistic and recognizable characters into them.
Solved Approach: ‘Age gap romance’ in Indian cinema is often presented in a highly dramatic or awkward manner. But Girish AD has brought it to the screen in a very spontaneous and dignified manner without any rush.
Fun Social Circle: The director has done a wonderful job in showing the small details. The little habits of the neighbors and their complications add a lot of comic timing and relatability to the film.
Acting: The return of Nivin Pauly and the magic of Mamita Baiju
Nivin Pauly (as Justin): Nivin plays the loneliness of Justin’s character, his carefree nature and his flaws with ease. Justin is no Mr. Perfect—he likes to drink at bars with friends and hide his imperfections behind his cheerfulness. Nivin’s natural comic timing takes the film to a different height.
Mamita Baiju (as Ashley): Mamita Baiju has once again proved that she is one of the most talented young actresses of our time. Earlier, she was seen sharing the screen with a middle-aged man in the film ‘Vishwanath and Sons’. The freshness and spontaneity he has brought to his character in this film is also commendable.
On-screen chemistry: The on-screen chemistry between Nivin and Mamita is so natural that the audience finds their relationship quite real and genuine. The supporting actors have also done full justice to their respective characters.
What makes the whole relationship work is the wonderful on-screen chemistry between him and Mamita Baiju – and that is the biggest strength of the film. Interestingly, this is Mamita Baiju’s second film in recent weeks in which she is seen romancing a middle-aged man (the other being ‘Vishwanath and Sons’). This young actress has once again proved why she has made a place in the hearts of the audience. She is a natural performer who brings an ease and spontaneity to her roles, which makes their relationship feel real. Credit should also go to the supporting cast of this film as they all made the film better with their presence.
‘Bethlehem Kudumba Unit’ has a feeling that makes you feel completely at home. Director Girish Eddy has once again shown how interesting ordinary people can be and how wonderful lives they can lead full of love, friendship, flaws and small joys. And Nivin Pauly and Mamita Baiju convince us that romance doesn’t always have to follow conventional lines – it’s just two people who love each other.