Since hearing Lord Ayyappa’s bedtime stories from her grandmother, Kallu has been pleading with her father to take her to Sabarimala. Her father, Ajayan, complied with her wishes and consented to accompany her to Sabarimala. She ultimately decides to travel, though, with her classmate Unni, following a personal tragedy. What perils are in store for the two kids, and how does a stranger’s appearance aid them?
In the film, Unni Mukundan plays the Ayyappan-like protector. He actually make a good kid’s movie hero with that beard and that smile. Unni is wonderful as Ayyappadas in this part, which calls for him to alternate between being humorous and also projecting a restrained arrogance.
The actress who portrays the title character in the film, Deva Nandha, has an endearing grin that draws us to her character, who genuinely has an irrational feeling of hope. As Piyush, Master Sreepath did alright. Other notable actors include Ramesh Pisharody, TG Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, Alphy Panjikaran, Saiju Kurup etc. in the film.
The film and the serials that featured stories about Ayyappan are very similar. In reality, the story revolves around an eight-year-old girl’s desire to travel to Sabarimala, and the filmmakers haven’t really experimented too much with it. The movie’s first hour just helps to drag it out. However, once Kalyani and her companion make the decision to travel, it turns into a more enjoyable experience, with Unni Mukundan’s persona assisting in maintaining the audience’s interest.
Kids are the intended viewership for this film. The film follows a fairly predictable format. The cinematography of Vishnu Narayanan transports the spectator on the pilgrimage without the claustrophobic feeling that typically comes with a crowded travel. The songs by Ranjin Raj work well with the movie as well.
Malikappuram is a film that seeks to instill a love of religion in young viewers. Unni is wonderful as Ayyappadas. On the downside, the film follows a fairly predictable format. The target audience for this movie is without any doubt, childrens & Ayyappan Devotees it is a treat for them for sure