Hridayapoorvam - Comforting like Curd rice

Hridayapoorvam

Malayalam - Comedy
132 mins
JioHotstar 

There is something inherently comforting about watching a movie that does not try too hard. Hridayapoorvam, starring Mohanlal, is exactly that kind of film — simple, well-meaning, a bit on the surface, still leaving you with a pleasant aftertaste.

A middle-aged single man receives a heart transplant, only to find himself unintentionally drawn into the life of his donor’s family. Mohanlal plays Sandeep Balakrishnan - A successful cloud kitchen owner, an irritable and emotionally restrained person. One who gets a second chance at life,  with someone else’s heart. 

He reluctantly visit’s the donor’s (a Colonel Ravindran) family, when he is invited by the daughter Haritha (Malavika Mohanan) for her engagement. An unlikely situation occurs where Sandeep’s back is injured and he is forced to spend two weeks for recovery. In the time -  he meets Colonel's friends and gets involved more deeply with Haritha and her mother Devika (Sangeetha) than he originally wanted to. 

Imagine if the film had leaned into a comedy— a man stuck between smitten donor’s daughter and her mother who reconnects with her lost husband. The movie makes enough hints at it, but takes the gentler route. It does not want to shock or stir, it just wants to be nice.

Mohanlal, as always, brings warmth and dignity to the role. He is so natural that even when the script wobbles (with the initial silliness) -  he steadies it with those eyes that carry decades of Malayalam cinema’s wisdom. The thing about great actors is that you never see the actor, but only remember the character and that is what Laletta does yet again!

Sangeeth Prathap is hilarious, although he gets fewer scenes than you would expect. His chemistry with Mohanlal is cool. Malavika Mohanan  looks wonderful, her wardrobe is very urbane and she gets a lot of good scenes with Lal, doing quite well.  90’s actor Sangeetha is graceful.

Director Sathyan Anthikad seems content painting within the lines. Sometimes it feels almost too polite. One wishes it had taken a few risks, either gone too emotional OR the taken the comedy route that it hints at. 

Hridayapoorvam is a film that means well, it is a gentle exploration of grief and gratitude. The kind of movie you would recommend to your parents without a disclaimer.