Njan Prakashan Review: Another smooth Anthikadan wine

One constant thing that the critics throw at Sathyan Anthikad is his tendency to take the same old frequented route. But what makes him still relevant is his ability to infuse something relatable in all his films. A favorite among the family audience, one has to give it to Sathyan Anthikad for making movies that have immense repeat value. While almost all his contemporaries have faded out, he stands strong amidst the new gen wave with his old school filmmaking.

Anthikad’s latest outing, ‘Njan Prakashan’ with the most dependable actor of the current gen, Fahadh Faasil, is almost the rehash of earlier films. There’s a touch of ‘Vinodayatra’, ‘Oru Indian Pranayakatha’, ‘Bhagyadevatha’ and even some intentionally done shout-out to ‘Nadodikkattu’. Still ‘Njan Prakashan’ entertains and offers a satisfying movie watching experience.

The writer Sreenivasan makes an effective comeback with his brand of satire and dry humour, all weaved around a familiar self-realization story. The protagonist Prakashan is a representative of the average Malayali, who is cunning, jealous, lazy but still is good at heart. To make some quick money and ‘settle’ in life, Prakashan aka PR Akash tries all possible ways but ends up in vain. How the various people he across in life influence him and change him to a better person is what ‘Njan Prakashan’ is all about.

Fahadh Faasil repeats his Aymanam Sidharthan plus Sibi Sebastian act here. But I firmly believe that no other actor apart from Fahadh could have done justice to the role of Prakashan like he did. Not that it was challenging or anything, bu there was only a fine line from going exaggerated. The effort he puts to ‘act’ (which he rarely does) is very evident here. Prakashan is a character that could have easily gone overblown but Fahadh manages to hold steady. He is ably supported by Sreenivasan, the graceful Nikhila Vimal, Anju Kurian, KPAC Lalitha and the surprise performer, Devika Sanjay.

‘Njan Prakashan’ has some memorable frames by S Kumar, a Sathyan Anthikad regular, and a couple of pleasant songs composed by Shaan Rahman. With a duration of just 130 minutes, the movie is neatly packed with minimal melodrama and unnecessary elements.

In a nutshell, ‘Njan Prakashan’ has everything one would expect from a Sathyan Anthikad film. It’s the same old wine that the veteran has been brewing for years, but it still tastes delicious.