Akhil Sathyan’s film style is subtle compared to his father Sathyan Anthikad. He brought families into movie halls telling stories of unemployment and other genuine family conflicts wrapped in dark humor in the '90s. The celebrated Mohanlal-Sreenivasan combo and other brilliant character actors of Malayalam cinema amplified the impact of those characters. The arc continued in various formats but recent ones called for a change. When Anoop Sathyan made his debut with Varane Aavashymund (2020), I was more impressed. Shobana’s Neena stood for her life and showed her new-gen daughter Nikitha how to live independently keeping a zest for life. Neena was a loud statement. Anoop still remained the shadow of his father in presenting other characters in the film.

In Pachuvum Albhuthavilakkum, Akhil Sathyan’s directorial debut, Sathyan Anthikad’s template is visible. The difference is in creating Prashanth aka Pachu a flawed hero. Though Pachu tries not to be one at times, Akhil is concerned about making him completely so. Pachu is a bit manipulative, jealous, selfish, and future-oriented. Ummachi is on the dot. Viji Venkatesh got this impressive character in her debut role. Her looks and accent match, so it wasn’t off on screen. Saving a girl child is still relevant. Routes are typical. Pachu is realistic. He wasn’t a superhero. Remember how Nikitha drops her high-end alliance in Varane Aavashyamund? Here, it repeats. Just a scene change. Moral -genuine guys of the era will bring their mothers while discussing serious matters of their life.

Coming to Hamsadhwani, Akhil tries to portray a stubborn, straightforward girl, her sorrow is masked and of course, a hero has to come to end it. That’s again a SA pattern except for the bare minimum dialogs. Anjana Jayaprakash seems promising. Got a fresh feel. Vineeth’s voice filled me. Riyas’ matter-of-fact persona was convincing. Fahadh’s Pachu is a mix of his previous roles in SA films.

Paachuvum Albhuthavilakkum in its totality is an average film. But Sathyan Anthikad’s boys have the flavour of direction. Unfollowing the trail of Sathyan films would be ideal for them to mark themselves in Mollywood.