Spectacular Sidhique Steals the Show in Mohan Kumar Fans - Malayalam Movie Review

If you are looking for a feel good movie to lift your spirits amidst the covid pandemic, look no further than Jis Joy’s latest film, Mohan Kumar Fans. The film revolves around Mohan Kumar, a washed up movie star who is attempting a comeback after thirty years. The heart and soul of the film is undoubtedly, veteran actor Sidhique, who gives an incredible performance as Mohan Kumar. 

Kunchako Boban plays the role of Krishnanunni, an aspiring singer as well as an ardent fan of Mohan Kumar, who comes into the lives of the actor and his daughter in the form of a driver. He connects with Mohan Kumar’s daughter, played by newcomer, Anarkali Nazar, as they are both aspiring singers competing together on a TV show. 

Most of the laughs in this film come thanks to Vinay Fort, who shows off his comedic skills convincingly as an attention-seeking, full-of-himself young movie star. His antics like changing his name from Krupesh to Agosh Kumar because people were calling him by the nickname, “Kapeesh”, and trying to go viral on social media by staging acts like doing charity work dressed in a burkha are hilarious.

But the lifeblood of this film is Sidhique, an actor who has proven time and again that he can perform any role thrown at him to perfection - may it be hero, villain, motivational or sentimental. Sidhique embodies the character, Mohan Kumar, in such a life-like manner that the audience may doubt if he is even acting. The simple, humble and kind Mohan Kumar, who treats even people like his driver and maid as family members, earns a place in the hearts of viewers due to Sidhique's acting prowess. It's doubtful if any other actor could have portrayed the hope, disappointments and vulnerability of Mohan Kumar in such an endearing manner. The film’s plot twists give Sidhique plenty of opportunities to show his wide-ranging acting skills, while taking the audience on a roller-coaster ride of emotions with him.

Other notable characters in this film include Mukesh, Srinivasan, KPAC Lalitha and Ramesh Pisharody. Mukesh portrays a bankrupt film producer, who, like Mohan Kumar, is trying for a comeback. The movie follows Mukesh’s story partially, as he tries to sign stars like Agosh Kumar and Asif Ali for his new script. Srinivasan’s character as a straight-talking astrologer also offers some comic relief amidst the sentimentality of the film. Some of the story lines like the fate of Kunchako Boban and Sidhique’s daughter on the TV singing competition, and whether Mukesh’s last straw attempt at reviving his production career was successful etc. don’t get a satisfying closure as the end credits roll. The talents of most of the cast members other than Sidhique are under-utilized in this film, and the script does leave more to be desired in cohesive story-telling.

However, despite the somewhat predictable storyline and shallow side characters, by the end of the film, I was a fan of Mohan Kumar, thanks particularly due to a powerhouse performance by versatile actor, Sidhique. Most audience members who love Malayalam cinema and appreciate the amount of blood, sweat and tears that go into creating a film, will also become Mohan Kumar fans. Now that the film has been released on Amazon Prime internationally, fans of Mohan Kumar will hopefully pop up not just in Kerala or India, but rather in all corners of the world.