Kumbalangi Nights

Kumbalangi Nights is not merely a cinema. It is a treatise on human emotions.

This Malayalam masterpiece directed by Madhu C. Narayanan and written by Shyam Pushkaran released in 2019. It is a story mainly revolving around four brothers (almost) living in a messy house and three women having varied backstories who enter their lives and house, making it a ‘Home’. Saaji is the eldest, grumpy brother who thinks he is the one carrying the house. Bonnie is a reticent yet a bit sulky guy who cannot speak. Bobby is a carefree charmer boy whereas youngest Frankie is the glue who holds the brothers together, having much more maturity than his age demands.

Women entering their lives are having their own journeys. Baby is a chirpy, friendly girl balancing between dreamy love and reality. She lives with her sheepish sister Simmy. Nylah is a tourist who bonds without words with Bonnie. Saathi is a women whose life is disturbed beyond redemption by Saaji, unknowingly though. And not to forget the toxic Shammi, played brilliantly by FaFa. Kumbalangi Nights is basically the story of these people get entangled in all types of emotional situations.

This movie is special because of the way each character is established and made to express. The fact that there is no narrator or central character connecting them, and yet the characters are developed so lucidly makes the screenplay exceptionally brilliant. Picturized in the scenic Kumbalangi village, the movie boasts of stupendous cinematography- especially the use of bioluminescence. Scenes like Saaji’s visit to Counsellor (minimum dialogues here), Saathi’s arrival, Shammi eavesdropping to on his wife and her sister stand out in this movie. Marked by progressive themes and realistic screenplay, the movie talks about social issues in a very nuanced manner. And a big kudos to Sushin Shyam and Anwar Ali for creating a soundtrack worth etching in memory- ‘Cherathukal’ and ‘Uyiril Thodum’ will stay with you for life!

Each character arc of Kumbalangi Nights represents a different emotion- the Nava Rasas. Shringara (Bobby and Babymol’s romance), Karuna (Saathi), Shant (Bonnie- Nyla story), Raudra (Saaji), Hasya (Light moments between the brothers), Bhaya (Shammi’s toxic dominance), Bibhatsa (Shammi again showing his ugly side), Adbhuta (Frankie wondering about the happenings, bioluminescence) and Veera (the climax)- all are properly expressed in this cinematic masterpiece. Heartfelt, wholesome Kumbalangi Nights is like a warm, cozy blanket in cold- certainly one of the finest movies in The Great Indian Cinema.