Fahadh Faasil
Aby Mathew
Overview
Jilted at his wedding, Aby encounters a reserved woman needing help. As they heal together, his ex returns with newfound insight into his dreams. A hidden truth leads Aby to find peace.
Cast
12 people
Reviews
6 min readThe Horse That Never Learned to Jump
I’ve sat through Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira twice now, and I still don’t know whether it’s a film that doesn’t know what it wants to be or one that knows exactly—and just doesn’t care. That uncertainty isn’t the problem, though. The problem is that the film seems to think its uncertainty is the point.
It’s not. Confusion, when it’s intentional, still needs to feel like a choice, not a default setting.
Althaf Salim’s second feature opens with a premise that promises absurdity: Aby Mathew (Fahadh Faasil), a furniture salesman, is thrown from a white horse during his wedding procession, plunging into a coma that lasts over 300 days. When he wakes, the world has moved on without him—or so it seems. His fiancée, Nidhi (Kalyani Priyadarshan), is still around, but their relationship feels like a half-remembered dream.
The film then lurches into a series of vignettes that oscillate between dark comedy, romantic whimsy, and what I can only describe as narrative whiplash. There’s a detour into the life of a food-obsessed woman (Revathi Pillai) that feels like it belongs in another movie entirely. There are dream sequences that don’t so much blur the line between reality and fantasy as erase it entirely.
And there’s a white horse—always the white horse—looming over everything like a bad metaphor that refuses to die.
The film’s title, roughly translated as Running Horse, Jumping Horse, suggests movement, energy, even a kind of manic grace. But Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira never quite finds its rhythm. It’s as if Salim set out to make a film about the chaos of a depressed mind—an admirable endeavor, to be sure—but forgot to give that chaos a shape.
The result is a movie that feels like it’s constantly stumbling over its own feet, mistaking disorientation for depth. The Hindu’s critic put it best: “The sheer aimlessness of the narrative makes us wonder whether the attempt is to give us a sense of Eby’s mindscape, but the answer is more obvious—the screenplay is just too messed up.” That’s not to say there aren’t moments of brilliance.
There’s a scene early on where Aby, still in his coma, overhears his family discussing his condition in hushed, frustrated tones. The camera lingers on his face, or what we can see of it beneath the bandages, and for a brief moment, the film feels like it might actually have something to say about grief, denial, and the way families perform optimism in the face of the unthinkable.
Audience Opinions
Audience 7.5/10
"A lively comedy with strong performances and humor, though some find its pacing and predictability a letdown."
The film’s energetic cast, particularly Fahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan, delivers laughs and charm, making it an entertaining watch for fans of lighthearted comedy. However, the story’s familiarity and occasional slow patches leave some viewers wanting more originality or tighter pacing.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Fahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan are praised for their chemistry and comedic timing, carrying much of the film’s appeal.
- Engaging humor The comedy lands well for many, with witty dialogue and situational humor keeping the mood light.
- Lively tone The film’s upbeat and colorful presentation adds to its entertainment value, making it a fun watch.
Common complaints
- Predictable plot The story follows well-worn tropes, leaving little room for surprises or deeper engagement.
- Pacing issues Some scenes drag, disrupting the flow and making the runtime feel longer than necessary.
- Underdeveloped side characters Supporting roles, while present, lack depth and often feel like missed opportunities for richer storytelling.
Recommended for
Comedy lovers Fahadh Faasil fans Lighthearted movie nights Malayalam cinema enthusiasts Rom-com audiences
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsFahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan Ride Into Comedy Chaos in Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira
Malayalam cinema’s most anticipated comedy of 2025, Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira, is shaping up to be a wild, star-studded romp. Directed by Althaf Salim—known for his knack for blending humor with sharp social commentary—the film reunites Fahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan after their 2023 hit Thankam. This time, they’re trading drama for outright chaos, with a cast that reads like a who’s-who of Mollywood’s most reliable scene-stealers.
A Comedy with Bite (and a 150-Minute Runtime)
Early details suggest Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira is a full-throttle comedy, clocking in at a hefty 150 minutes 
. For context, that’s longer than most Malayalam comedies, which typically hover around the 2-hour mark. The extended runtime hints at either a sprawling, multi-layered plot or a director unafraid to let jokes marinate. Given Salim’s past work—like the darkly comedic Bangalore Days spin-off Kunjiramayanam—expect a mix of slapstick and sly satire.
The genre tag is unambiguous: SensCritique lists it as a straight-up comedy [2], though with Salim at the helm, there’s likely more beneath the surface. The title itself, which loosely translates to "Running Horse, Jumping Horse," suggests a frenetic, possibly absurd premise—think mistaken identities, high-speed chases, or a literal horse causing havoc. (Malayalam cinema has a proud tradition of animal-led chaos, from Kunjiramayanam’s goat to Premam’s scooter.)
The Cast: A Dream Team of Mollywood’s Funniest
Fahadh Faasil and Kalyani Priyadarshan lead the charge, but the supporting cast is where the real fireworks might happen. Here’s who’s along for the ride:
- Revathi Pillai: The Thanneer Mathan Dinangal star has a knack for deadpan humor, and her presence suggests a role that could steal scenes.
- Vinay Forrt and Dhyan Sreenivasan: Both are comedy powerhouses in their own right, with Forrt’s Kunjiramayanam and Dhyan’s Thattathin Marayathu proving their timing is razor-sharp.
- Lal and Suresh Krishna: Veteran actors who can pivot from drama to comedy in a heartbeat. Lal’s Ee.Ma.Yau and Krishna’s Bangalore Days roles show they’re no strangers to Salim’s style.
- Lakshmi Gopalaswamy: A dramatic actor who’s dabbled in comedy (Kunjiramayanam), adding an unpredictable edge.
- Anuraj OB and Vineeth Vasudevan: Rising talents who’ve impressed in smaller but memorable roles (Anuraj in Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Vineeth in Romancham*).
The ensemble feels like a deliberate throwback to the golden era of Malayalam ensemble comedies—think Godfather or Kunjiramayanam—where every actor gets a moment to shine. With this lineup, the film could be a masterclass in comedic chemistry.
Music and Hype: The Justin Varghese Factor
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rwA4N8pj1XA
The first teaser, titled Duppattawaali, dropped in mid-2024, offering a glimpse of the film’s energy [3]. The song, composed by Justin Varghese (of Romancham and Kunjiramayanam fame), is already a viral hit, with its catchy hook and playful visuals. Varghese’s music has a knack for elevating comedies—his work on Romancham became a cultural phenomenon—so expectations are high.
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=B2Ii1aaR69I
The teaser itself is a whirlwind of color and movement, with Faasil and Priyadarshan looking effortlessly charismatic. Early reactions from YouTube commenters suggest the film’s humor is hitting the right notes, though some fans are already speculating about the plot based on the song’s lyrics [5]. (Spoiler: It likely involves a lot of running, jumping, and possibly a horse.)
What We Don’t Know (Yet)
For all the hype, Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira remains shrouded in mystery. Key questions linger:
- Plot details: Beyond the comedy tag and runtime, the story is a black box. Is it a road movie? A farce? A satire? The title’s literal translation suggests movement and chaos, but that’s about it.
- Release date: The film is slated for 2025, but no specific date has been announced. Given the star power and runtime, it’s likely aiming for a festival or holiday slot.
- Reception: Rotten Tomatoes lists the film, but no reviews or scores are available yet . Early buzz is positive, but Malayalam comedies often divide audiences—what’s hilarious to some can feel over-the-top to others.
One thing’s certain: With this cast and director, Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira won’t be short on ambition. Whether it lives up to the hype will depend on whether Salim can balance the film’s length with tight pacing—and whether the jokes land harder than a horse’s gallop.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.
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