Jacob Gregory
Ashokan
Overview
When his unlucky horoscope doesn't bode well for his future wife, an earnest bachelor goes to surprising lengths to get the family he's always wanted. Will the stars align?
Cast
12 people
Reviews
5 min readThe Plantain Tree and the Weight of Wanting
I’ve seen this trick before—the lonely man, the absurd ritual, the promise of a punchline that never quite lands. But there’s something about Maniyarayile Ashokan that lingers, like the aftertaste of a joke you don’t fully get but can’t stop turning over in your mind. Maybe it’s the way the film commits so fully to its premise, or maybe it’s just that I’ve spent too many afternoons in Kerala, where the air hums with the kind of quiet desperation that makes even the most ridiculous traditions feel like survival strategies.
Shamzu Zayba’s debut follows Ashokan (Jacob Gregory), a clerk whose obsession with marriage is matched only by his horoscope’s insistence that any woman he weds will meet an untimely end. The solution? A series of increasingly elaborate rituals, culminating in the film’s central absurdity: Ashokan must "romance" a plantain tree in his yard, whispering sweet nothings to its leaves in the hope that the stars will take pity on him.
It’s a premise that could’ve been a sharp satire of superstition, small-town loneliness, or the performative theater of masculinity. Instead, it’s a film that stumbles into its own contradictions, often in the same scene.
The cinematography by Sajad Kakku is the film’s most consistent strength. Kerala’s villages have rarely looked this vibrant—every frame is drenched in the kind of saturated greens and golds that make you want to reach for a glass of kattan chaya. There’s a tactile quality to the visuals, from the dew clinging to the plantain leaves to the way the light filters through the slats of Ashokan’s home.
It’s the kind of craft that makes you forgive a film’s flaws, at least for a while. But craft alone can’t carry a story that keeps tripping over its own feet.
Take the plantain tree itself. The film treats it as both a comedic prop and a symbol of Ashokan’s desperation, but it never quite decides which one it wants to be. In one scene, Ashokan drapes a mundu over the tree’s trunk like a lover’s shawl, whispering apologies as if it’s a sentient being.
The moment is played for laughs, but there’s a quiet sadness to it too—this man is so starved for connection that he’s projecting it onto a plant. The problem is, the film doesn’t trust its audience to sit with that sadness. Instead, it undercuts the moment with a cutaway gag or a distracting cameo, as if afraid we might take Ashokan’s loneliness seriously.
Audience Opinions
Broad evidence
Audience 7.2/10
"A lighthearted romantic comedy with charming leads but a predictable plot that limits its impact."
Jacob Gregory and Anupama Parameswaran's chemistry is the standout, making the romance and comedy enjoyable despite familiar tropes. The humor works in parts, but the unoriginal story and weak supporting characters hold it back.
What viewers praise
- Lead chemistry Gregory and Parameswaran have a natural dynamic that carries the film.
- Lighthearted humor The comedy is well timed, especially in the first half.
- Feel-good tone Upbeat and easy to watch; fine for casual viewing.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot Well-worn rom-com tropes without fresh twists.
- Weak supporting cast Side characters feel like filler.
- Pacing issues The second half drags, with stretched or unnecessary scenes.
Recommended for
Romantic comedy fans Jacob Gregory admirers Lighthearted movie nights Anupama Parameswaran fans Malayalam comedy lovers
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsThe Making of Maniyarayile Ashokan: Behind the Scenes of Shamzu Zayba’s Rom-Com
Maniyarayile Ashokan (2020), directed by Shamzu Zayba, is a Malayalam rom-com that brought together a fresh cast and a lighthearted premise. latestnetflix.com's read is that while the film’s on-screen charm is evident, the behind-the-scenes story reveals a project that almost didn’t happen—until a major star’s intervention.
Dulquer Salmaan’s Role in Bringing the Film to Life
The most striking behind-the-scenes detail about Maniyarayile Ashokan is its connection to Dulquer Salmaan, despite him not being part of the cast. Director Shamzu Zayba revealed in interviews that the film was greenlit only after Salmaan gave his approval. In a YouTube clip, Zayba recounts how Salmaan’s "yes" was a make-or-break moment for the project. The director’s insistence on Salmaan’s blessing suggests the actor’s influence in Malayalam cinema extends beyond acting—his endorsement may have been crucial in securing funding or distribution.
Why Salmaan, who wasn’t even in the film, had such sway remains unclear. Rumors suggest he was initially considered for a role but opted out, though this hasn’t been confirmed. What is clear is that his involvement, even indirectly, shaped the film’s trajectory.
A Cast of Rising Stars and Familiar Faces
The film’s lead, Jacob Gregory, was already a known name in Malayalam comedy, but Maniyarayile Ashokan paired him with Anupama Parameswaran, a rising star fresh off her success in Premam (2015). Their chemistry was a selling point, with trailers and reviews highlighting their playful dynamic. Supporting roles included Sunny Wayne, Shine Tom Chacko, and Krishna Shankar—actors who brought their own comedic and dramatic flair to the story.
Interestingly, the film’s marketing leaned heavily on Gregory’s and Parameswaran’s names, but YouTube reviews also spotlighted Shine Tom Chacko’s performance, suggesting his role was a standout. The ensemble cast reflected Zayba’s aim to blend fresh talent with established names, a strategy that paid off in the film’s reception.
Genre and Reception: A Lighthearted Gamble
Maniyarayile Ashokan was marketed as a rom-com, a genre that had seen mixed success in Malayalam cinema at the time. The film’s 110-minute runtime and VOD release hinted at a modest budget, but its reception was largely positive among critics and audiences. Reviews praised its humor and the lead pair’s chemistry, though some noted the plot was predictable.
The film’s digital release (via VOD) may have been a strategic choice, allowing it to reach a wider audience without heavy theatrical competition. While it didn’t break box office records, it cemented Zayba’s reputation as a director who could deliver crowd-pleasing entertainment.
Unanswered Questions and Rumors
Despite the available details, some aspects of Maniyarayile Ashokan’s production remain murky. For instance:
- Dulquer Salmaan’s exact involvement: Was he attached to the project early on? Did he help with financing or distribution? The evidence only confirms his approval was pivotal, not the specifics. - Budget and box office: No official numbers are available, leaving its financial success unclear. - Script origins: There’s no public record of how the story was developed or whether it was based on a pre-existing concept.
These gaps highlight how much of Malayalam cinema’s behind-the-scenes work goes undocumented, especially for mid-budget films like this one.
**The Legacy of *Maniyarayile Ashokan***
While not a blockbuster, Maniyarayile Ashokan stands out for its behind-the-scenes drama—particularly the unusual role Dulquer Salmaan played in its creation. For Shamzu Zayba, it was a stepping stone, proving his ability to helm a rom-com with broad appeal. For the cast, it was another opportunity to showcase their range, with Jacob Gregory and Anupama Parameswaran’s pairing leaving a lasting impression.
The film’s real story, though, is a reminder of how star power and industry connections can shape a project’s fate—even before the cameras start rolling.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
Related movies
More titles in the same genres and with the same cast.
