| Director | Ashraf Hamza |
|---|---|
| Screenplay | Ashraf Hamza |
| Cinematography | Kannan Patteri |
| Music | Vishnu Vijay |
| Producer | Chemban Vinod Jose |
Gist of the Story
A dramatic journey between the families is sparked when Haala and Ameen’s marriage is decided quickly with little time for preparations.
Detailed Plot
Haala (Anarkali Marikar) and Ameen (Lukman), who accept the union despite having little to no prior acquaintance, are married by the family. Living in Sulaikha Manzil is Haala, who has three brothers. She is prepared for an arranged marriage with Ameen following a heartbreak years ago. The elder brother of Haala, Sameer, with who she has a tense relationship, arranged the alliance. Ameen believes that he and Haala ought to get to know one another better before getting married because the wedding was scheduled over a two-week period. Ameen is disappointed by the lack of enthusiasm Haala has for it. A misunderstanding results from his unsuccessful attempts, and the marriage is about to be called off. Their feelings of conflict the night before their marriage and the planning for the big day are the main themes of the movie.
Artistes’ Performances
Lukman performs admirably and is just as good. As he conveys Ameen’s eagerness, fears, and rage, Lukman gives yet another excellent performance, after Saudi Vellakka. Anarkali puts on a strong performance as a bride-to-be who is reluctant to wed a complete stranger owing to familial pressure. She is particularly effective in portraying the emotional ups and downs that her character experiences. Such affection and stature were there in Chemban Vinod Jose’s portrayal of the worried brother who is reluctant to confront his sister.
Direction / Technical Side
A captivating story about the value of love, trust, and individual satisfaction in a marriage is presented by director Ashraf Hamza, known for his insightful films like Thamasha and Bheemante Vazhi. Sulaikha Manzil lacks a strong framework or point of concentration, in contrast to Thamaasha and Bheemante Vazhi. It’s comparable to trying to capture the moments of an actual wedding while also putting together a coherent narrative for the whole affair. One flaw is that the writing skims over several of the situations without delving into the characters’ feelings. But altogether, except for the performances and a few scattered feel-good moments, there isn’t much to get excited about in the movie. You can get teary-eyed when the movie reaches its climax because of certain emotional scenes. The melodious score of Vishnu Vijay, which perfectly encapsulates Malabar Muslim weddings, has to be considered the film’s biggest plus. Songs by Vishnu Vijay are upbeat and enjoyable. An honorable mention goes to videographer Sameer Karat for his exquisite work in capturing wedding events.
Verdict; Director Ashraf Hamza presents an engrossing tale on the importance of love, trust, and satisfying oneself in marriage. But overall, the film fails to present much to be excited about except for the performances and a few random feel-good scenes. The director’s use of dance and music to set the mood helps to some extent hold the movie. Mixed Bag!