Jeethu Joseph comes out defending Lena’s performance in Aadhi

Pranav Mohanlal’s Aadhi continues to run to packed houses in almost all the major centres in Kerala. The movie directed by Jeethu Joseph is an action packed thriller. Releasing on last Friday, the movie opened to excellent reviews from the audience. Critics as well as the commoners have lapped up the movie and is right on track to become a big blockbuster.

Aadhi has a strong supporting cast. Telugu actor Jagpathi Babu, Anusree, ‘Alamara’ fame Aditi Ravi, Lena, Siju Wilson, Krishna Shankar Sharafudheen, Tony Luke, Siddique and Meghanathan are part of the movie. All these actors have equal space for performance in the movie.

However, one negative that many found in the movie was Lena’s performance. She plays the role of Pranav Mohanlal’s mother in the movie. As Aadhi’s over caring mom, Lena was mostly single dimensional, particularly in the second half, where she had to put up an anxious face for almost all her scenes. Many critics pointed out her act as a blip but director Jeethu Joseph has now come out defending Lena.

The director in his Facebook page has written that Lena delivered such a performance upon his clear instructions. Jeethu Joseph feels that a young mother who is extremely concerned about her only son would behave in that way. He also requested the viewers not to ridicule her personally.

Meanwhile, Aadhi is moving rock solid at the Kerala box office. The movie is expected to continue its stellar theatrical run in the coming weeks as well. Antony Perumbavoor’s Aashirvad Cinemas has funded this movie.