Anuragam review: Music and lighter moments make this romantic tale watchable

Love stories have a common formula. In a majority of stories, the male lead stalks the female lead to express his love. Thankfully, filmmakers changed this trend.

Anuragam (Love) is a love story that appeals to the new generation. It’s a clean movie that talks about today’s love and that of yester years too.

It’s directed by Shahad who debuted with Prakashan Parakkate (Let Prakashan Fly) in 2022.

Aswin Jose, who wrote the story, is also the lead actor in the movie.

Synopsis

Anuragam showcases three parallel love stories.

Aswin (Aswin Jose) and is in love with his classmate-cum-best friend Janani (Gouri K Kishan). He tries his best to impress Janani and win her heart but in vain.

Devayani makes a comeback to Malayalam films through Anuragam. She plays the role of Aswin’s mother-cum-bank employee.

Shankar (Gautam Vasudev Menon), a singer, gets separated from his wife Devika (Lena). Janani is their daughter. He enters into a relationship with co-singer Neetha (Durga Krishna).

Disturbed by the broken marriage of her parents, Janani wants to pursue higher studies in Canada. What happens to her plan and how she gets affected by her parents are some of the highlights of the movie.

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Jose Mon’s (Johny Antony) unrequited love for Mercy is quite relatable.

Veteran actress Sheela plays his mother Eliyamma.

Comedy and music major highlights

The film offers many comic moments which go down well with the audience. For instance, Aswin’s efforts to profess his love to Janani evoke laughter among viewers.

The movie conveys that ego clashes are common in all relationships, which is a commendable attempt.

However, the relationship between Shankar and Neetha isn’t convincing. Even Jose Mon’s lost love story fails to appeal to audiences.

Joel John’s compositions — a mix of peppy and romantic numbers — are quite soothing. The five songs lift the mood of the story. The soundtrack alone can draw crowds to the theatres.

Nevertheless, Anuragam has a lot of formulaic sequences. Even the climax is too predictable.

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Performances

Aswin Jose and Johny Antony scored well with their comic timing.

Lena delivers a subtle performance.

Gautam Menon is decent as Shankar. It’s interesting to see him play the role of a man who wants to prove his love.

Gouri G Kishan gives her best as Janani.

Durga Krishna has nothing much to do but appears as a self-made woman who doesn’t want to lose her love.

Devayani leaves a mark though she gets lesser screen space.

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Final take

Anuragam has a predictable plot, but music and comedy make this love story watchable.

Aswin Jose and Johny Antony take it to another level.

(Views expressed are personal.)