Mohanlal, the celebrated Malayalam actor, had three releases this year, with ‘Hridayapoorvam’ being the most recent. The film’s Telugu version recently debuted on JioHotstar, yet it fails to create a memorable impact, despite featuring a skilled cast. The narrative centers around Sandeep Balakrishnan (Mohanlal), an ordinary man who operates a small food business and undergoes a heart transplant. The heart he receives belonged to Colonel Ravindranath of the Indian Army, and his caretaker Zari (Sangeeth Pratap) assists him during recovery. Following this, Sandeep travels to Pune at the invitation of the colonel’s daughter, Haritha (Malavika Mohanan). Although the storyline suggests emotional depth and familial themes, the execution is sluggish and overly simplistic.
Mohanlal’s performance is subtle, as anticipated, but the film’s pacing detracts from his presence. The plot wanders through predictable scenarios without offering any significant twists or engaging developments. Malavika Mohanan and Sangita Madhavan Nair deliver natural performances, but their interactions with Mohanlal, which are meant to enhance the film’s charm, feel repetitive and lack impact. Sangeeth Pratap’s comedic character is underutilized, rendering the humor ineffective. Even the brief exchanges among the trio, which could have introduced liveliness, seem dull and prolonged. Musically, Justin Prabhakaran’s score does not resonate, as songs that might have enriched the narrative feel disruptive, further slowing the already sluggish pace.
The technical elements, including Anu Moothedutt’s cinematography and Rajagopal’s editing, are satisfactory but fail to invigorate the film. The Telugu dubbing is competent, but it cannot redeem the formulaic storytelling. Director Sathyan Anthikad, known for his family dramas, manages the narrative adequately but does not elevate it beyond a standard tale. While there are occasional heartwarming moments, they are too infrequent to maintain engagement. Overall, ‘Hridayapoorvam’ is a forgettable addition to Mohanlal’s otherwise impressive year. Although it boasts decent production values and a capable cast, its slow pacing, predictable storyline, and missed comedic opportunities make it a rather tedious viewing experience, likely appealing only to die-hard fans eager to see the superstar in a subdued role.