The Malayalam cinema industry will always be known for its entertainers in large format, and their latest offering in the same category is “Bha Bha Ba.” This action comedy flick brings Dileep back in a big manner. This is debutant director Dhananjay Shankar’s directional offering, which plans to mix the old school format of comedy with some new age references. Read an in-depth review of whether it is able to live up to the large expectations before its release.

The Meaning Behind The Title

As for those who questioned the unique title of the movie, the title itself is the acronym of the word Bhayam, Bhakthi, Bahumanam, which means Fear, Devotion, and Respect. These three concepts are embodied in the post-apocalyptic journey of the characters although it is presented in satirical and comical means.

One High Energy Plot Driven by Madness!

The story revolves around an unnamed character portrayed by Dileep, who has been described to be a professional kidnapper with some eccentricities. The tale begins with a daring kidnapping of the Chief Minister of Kerala, acted out by Baiju Santhosh. This sets the tone for the utter confusion in an investigation headed by the son of the Chief Minister and NEA officer Noble, acted out by Vineeth Sreenivasan.

The screenplay, written by Fahim Safar and Noorin Shereef, favors madness over logic. The movie showcases a world where everything is possible if it translates to cinematic excellence. Even though the basic plot is a revenge drama, there are plenty of gimmicks, twists, and turns in the treatment that make sure that even though the logic is illogical, the mood remains high.

Dileep Makes His Return To Comedy

For the typical fan of the actor Dileep, Bha Bha Ba will feel like a nostalgic trip back to the days of CID Moosa and Runway. The irreverent humor and physical comedy that made the actor so popular with family audiences are back in Bha Bha Ba. The character that he portrays has plenty of loud and unpredictable elements based more on body language and timing.

Though his performance is packed with energy, some critics have argued that his character fails to grow or have a believable arc during the latter half. Nevertheless, fans who have not gotten a chance to see his classic slapstick acting may enjoy his screen presence.

The Star Power of Mohanlal And Supporting Cast

One of the largely enjoyable aspects of the movie is the special appearance by the legendary actor Mohanlal as Ghilli Bala, the gangster. The impact of Ghilli Bala’s entry on the storyline serves to give the movie the necessary boost. The performance by both Dileep and Mohanlal in a thrilling dancing segment, common in Hollywood movies, turns out to be a brilliant aspect.

The list of supporting characters does not disappoint either and boasts an incredibly vast cast of characters. The rivalry between real-life brothers Vineeth Sreenivasan and Dhyan Sreenivasan brings an element of natural hilarity to the movie. Dhyan also happens to be a real-life star with a huge fan following for “voiteness” or Vineeth-ness when he is not in the frames of the “films.” Actress Saranya Ponvannan also brings a lot to the madcap proceedings with her presence in the movie.

Technical Brilliance and Musical Highs

Visually, the movie is a treat because of the cinematography done by Armo. The action sequences, choreographed by Kalai Kingson and Supreme Sundar, are grand and fun to watch. The pre-interval fight sequence, done to a disco theme à la the 1980s, is a highlight of the movie and has been touted as one of the most creative action sequences shot in recent Malayalam cinema.

The music composition by Shaan Rahman and the background score by Gopi Sundar are the most important things that keep the pace of the film relentless. Although some people felt that the lyrics were a little weak, the audio elements are perfectly aligned with the “madness” theme.

Conclusion

Bha Bha Ba is a movie that requires you to leave your logic at the door. It’s a loud and proud entertainer that feeds off of nostalgia and meta-content. Although the latter part of the movie does tend to drag a bit and the revenge angle is a bit of a let-down, the passion of the cast and crew keeps this from falling flat.

It is a perfect watch for those looking forward to mindless action and comedy, along with the combined star power of Mollywood stars. If you are looking to watch something that is filled with references to classic cinema, then this is a good watch.