Jayaram and Kalidas Jayaram are a dad-son duo who everyone finds cute and relatable. Their bond exudes sweetness, their comedy timing impeccable. The two are reuniting on screen after several decades for director G Prajith’s Ashakal Aayiram, a film which will see them playing a father and son, sharing the same interests.
How does it feel when a son’s passion becomes a father’s interest? Will the two share tips to progress together, or will ego take over? Ashakal Aayiram tackles this with humour, drama and lots of it. Ajeesh (Kalidas Jayaram) is a social media influencer who aims to make it big in cinema. His medical representative father, Hariharan (Jayaram), is tired of running behind family and monetary commitments.
One day, a popular actor arrives in the neighbourhood for a film shoot. This is where their dreams get intertwined for good. And for the worse as well.
The core idea of overlapping dreams amid financial constraints is presented well. But the film takes its sweet time to take the conflicts forward. This is where the film feels longer than it intends to. As a feel-good drama, it hits the right spot before getting too melodramatic as it approaches the climax.
It is Jayaram and Kalidas’s performances that keep the proceedings interesting. Their banter and their separate interactions with Asha (Asha Sharath), the woman of the family, are lively and bring a smile to your face. Sharafudheen plays an extended cameo as an actor and delivers an impactful performance.
Ashakal Aayiram had an interesting premise, but it could have been much more given its unique idea. The film taps more into melodrama instead of relying on uniqueness. With a predictable climax, the film ends up being a harmless family entertainer that falls short of greatness.
