June Review: Rajisha and Ifthi’s music are the major highlights in this coming-of-age story

A coming-of-age story from a girl’s perspective is always a refreshing concept, given how male dominant the industry is. Jude Anthany Joseph’s ‘Om Shanti Oshana’ was probably the last such film that worked, both with the critics and masses. A bunch of newcomers have now come up with ‘June’, which follows the journey of a girl from her teenage to her mid 20s. Rajisha Vijayan plays the titular role in the movie Rajisha’s debut in cinema was a stuff of dreams. She started off her career by bagging the prestigious Kerala State Award for best actress for her endearing performance in ‘Anuraga Karikkin Vellam’. But she could not continue the form in her following films. From the promos, June promised to be a role that could do justice to her potential. Let’s see how it has eventually turned out to be.

The movie directed by Ahammed Khabeer is centred around June Sara John. The narrative starts from her higher secondary days. She falls in love with Noel but just like every other teenage love story it is doesn’t go forward. Post her schooling, June enrolls herself in a college where she always wanted to study but isn’t able to move on from her past relationship. ‘June’, the movie follows her various relationships and how it finally ends with happily ever after marriage.

To put things clear, debutant Ifthi’s music and Rajisha’s performance are the major highlights in ‘June’. Rajisha, who appears in various looks, is very authentic and I can easily say that her efforts have not gone in vain. Sarjano Khalid, the actor who played the role of Noel, shows promise with his good looks and winning performance. The heated conversation between him and June in the car was superb with some well written progressive dialogues. Vaishnavi, the girl who played June’s ‘mottachi’ friend was effortless. Arjun Ashokan is another actor who grabs the eyeballs. The whole ’11 E’ gang was good. Joju George and Ashwathy as June’s parents performed their parts neatly.

Being a feel-good rom-com, lot depended on the music and newbie Ifthi delivers more that what is expected from him. There are around seven songs in the film and every single track is a treat to the ears and jells well with the narrative. As they are situational songs taking forward the narrative, they don’t stick out like a sore thumb. Colourful cinematography and evenly paced editing also helped in maintaining the right mood throughout

Overall, ‘June’ is an enjoyable watch thanks to Rajisha’s earnest performance, Ifthi’s lovely music and a pleasant feel-good story told from a girl’s point of view. ‘June’ is a winner.