Nunakkuzhi, a 2024 Malayalam-language crime comedy film directed by Jeethu Joseph, features Basil Joseph, Grace Antony, and Nikhila Vimal in lead roles. The supporting cast includes Siddique, Manoj K. Jayan, Baiju Santhosh, Binu Pappu, Saiju Kurup, Aju Varghese, and Althaf Salim.
The film received mixed-to-positive reviews from both critics and audiences and was a commercial success at the box office.
Nunakuzhi Movie Storyplot
The film follows the story of a wealthy businessman whose perfect life begins to fall apart when his company becomes the focus of a high-profile income tax raid. Led by government officials, the raid uncovers financial misconduct, tax evasion, and illegal activities within his organization. Once celebrated for his success and influence, the businessman is suddenly caught in a public scandal that threatens his reputation and business empire. As the investigation progresses, he faces legal and personal struggles, with strained relationships affecting his family, friends, and business associates. The plot explores themes of corruption, greed, and the fragility of power, highlighting how a single event can trigger a devastating downfall that impacts not just the businessman but everyone around him.
Nunakuzhi Movie Cast details
Basil Joseph as Eby Zachariah Poozhikunnel
Grace Antony as Rashmitha Ranjith
Nikhila Vimal as Rimi, Eby’s wife
Siddique as Income Tax Assistant Commissioner Bhamakrishnan
Manoj K. Jayan as Actor Sundar Nath
Baiju Santhosh as CI Abraham Tharakan
Aju Varghese as Ranjith, Rashmitha’s husband
Saiju Kurup as Dr. Jayadevan
Binu Pappu as Producer Sagaran Chamakkala
Althaf Salim as Naveen Narayanan, Bhamakrishnan’s nephew
Nunakkuzhi was released in theaters on August 15, 2024.
Nunakuzhi Movie Review
There’s something captivating about seeing Basil Joseph on screen, whether he’s falling in love, making mistakes, getting into trouble, losing his temper, or breaking down in tears. It’s not that he’s an exceptional actor, but his physique and mannerisms closely resemble those of many young Malayalis who, like his characters, are often clueless and impulsive. This relatability, along with his knack for physical comedy, is exactly what director Jeethu Joseph has tapped into for his latest film, Nunakuzhi, which also features a talented ensemble known for their comedic abilities.
After the death of his business tycoon father, Eby (played by Basil Joseph) is forced to take over the family empire. However, Eby is a man-child with no interest or knowledge of business; his only fixation is his new wife, Rimi (Nikhila Vimal). Obsessed with her, one night, Eby convinces Rimi to record an intimate video on his personal laptop. Things take a disastrous turn when an Income Tax raid occurs at his office, and officer Bhamakrishnan (Siddique) seizes the laptop. When Rimi discovers this, she becomes enraged and threatens to end her life unless Eby retrieves the laptop immediately. In a panic, Eby embarks on a mission to fix things, but his foolish decisions only make things worse. Along the way, he encounters a couple on the verge of divorce (Grace Antony and Aju Varghese), a group of policemen (Baiju Santhosh, Azees Nedumangad, and others), a movie star (Manoj K Jayan), a film producer (Binu Pappu), and a dentist (Saiju Kurup)—all of whom have made their own blunders that day, intertwining their lives in a chaotic comedy of errors.
While Jeethu Joseph isn’t known for consistently delivering hits, when he does, he often exceeds expectations, as seen in films like My Boss (2012), Memories (2013), Drishyam (2013), Life of Josutty (2015), Drishyam 2 (2021), and Kooman (2022) (aside from its controversial ending). With Nunakuzhi, Jeethu explores a genre he hasn’t tackled before and does so with great success, crafting a well-executed comedy of errors. The film balances both humor and suspense, thanks to a strong script by KR Krishna Kumar. Unlike his earlier family dramas like Mummy & Me (2010) and Life of Josutty, or the romantic comedy My Boss, in Nunakuzhi Jeethu skillfully blends humor with realistic situations while incorporating his signature thriller elements, keeping the audience entertained and on the edge of their seats from start to finish.
Basil Joseph’s Performance: Basil Joseph shines as Eby, a clueless man-child forced to manage a business empire after his father’s death. His relatability and knack for physical comedy make him stand out.
Comedy of Errors: The film’s chaotic and intertwined plot, filled with misunderstandings and mishaps, drives the comedy. Multiple characters’ lives collide in humorous and unpredictable ways.
Jeethu Joseph’s Direction: Known for thrillers, Jeethu Joseph steps into comedy with great success, skillfully balancing humor and suspense, showing his versatility as a director.
Strong Supporting Cast: The ensemble cast, featuring Nikhila Vimal, Grace Antony, Aju Varghese, Siddique, Baiju Santhosh, and others, brings their comedic talents to the forefront, adding depth and humor to the story.
Script by KR Krishna Kumar: The film’s script combines realistic scenarios with humor, keeping audiences engaged and entertained with witty dialogues and well-timed jokes.
Mix of Humor and Thrills: While primarily a comedy, Nunakuzhi also incorporates Jeethu’s signature thriller elements, adding moments of tension and keeping viewers on the edge of their seats.
Relatability: Eby’s character and the situations he finds himself in resonate with many, making the film both funny and relatable for Malayali audiences.
Cinematic Chaos: The film thrives on the chaos created by Eby’s foolish decisions and the quirky cast of characters he encounters, resulting in a lighthearted and engaging experience.
Nunakuzhi Movie FAQs
Q. Who directed Nunakuzhi?
A. The film is directed by Jeethu Joseph, known for his successful thrillers like Drishyam and Memories. Nunakuzhi marks his foray into comedy.
Q. What genre is the movie?
A. Nunakuzhi is a comedy of errors with elements of humor, drama, and some thriller moments. It combines relatable characters and real-life situations with a comedic twist.
Q. How does Nunakuzhi compare to other Jeethu Joseph films?
A. Unlike Jeethu Joseph’s popular thrillers such as Drishyam and Kooman, Nunakuzhi is a lighthearted comedy. However, it still incorporates Jeethu’s knack for creating suspense and tension, making it a unique mix of genres.
Q. Who wrote the script for Nunakuzhi?
A. The script was penned by KR Krishna Kumar, who blends humor with real-life situations while adding Jeethu Joseph’s signature thriller elements.
Q. What are some of the key themes in the movie?
A. Key themes include comedy of errors, family dynamics, romantic obsession, and the chaotic consequences of bad decisions. The film explores how different characters’ actions intertwine, leading to humorous and often unexpected outcomes.