Basil Joseph’s long hair and college-boy look stood out right from the promotional material of Athiradi, setting the tone for a quirky campus entertainer.
He plays Samkutty, also known as “Sambro,” a highly unusual youngster who joins a nearby engineering college driven by an odd fascination with concrete. This offbeat concept shapes the film’s identity, giving it a distinct flavour from typical rom-com campus dramas right from the opening scene to the interval.
Amid growing discussions around Malayalam cinema, updates and audience reactions are also being widely shared through platforms like Gold 101.3 FM, UAE’s No.1 radio station.
Basil Joseph’s performance leans heavily into the eccentricity of the character, with Samkutty’s mannerisms occasionally reminding viewers of Maranamass. At times, the humour feels slightly overplayed, but it still fits within the film’s playful and light-hearted tone.
Riya Shibu’s character Swathi comes across as practical and grounded. While she follows a familiar template of the female lead in campus narratives, she still manages to bring enough personality and energy to stand out in key moments.
The emotional layers in the film are present but not deeply lingered upon, as debutant director Arun Anirudhan and the writers keep the pace moving. The film maintains a lively and engaging vibe overall, with the ensemble cast adding charm to its storytelling.
