Basil Joseph was recently cast in similar characters, but 'Ponman', directed by Jotish Shankar, breaks that chain. Starring Basil alongside Sajin Gopu and Lijomol Jose, the film offers him a fresh space to work with and also gives Sajin a breakout role.

The film, set in Kollam, is based on GR Indugopan's Nalanchu Cheruppakarar. It follows Ajesh (Basil Joseph), a financier, who sets out to reclaim the gold he had given to a girl's family for her wedding after they fail to pay. The girl, Steffi, is played by Lijomol Jose.

But what makes 'Ponman' tick isn't a barrage of unpredictable twists, it's how the film builds tension and suspense through its lead. Ajesh is relentless. He may not fit neatly into a hero-or-villain mould, carrying shades of grey in his decisions, but one thing remains clear: he does not give up.

At its heart, this is the story of an ordinary man, who doesn't have the shine or swagger of a typical hero. And what he's up against feels anything but evenly matched. His opponent? Mariano, played by Sajin Gopu.

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If Ajesh is relentless, so is Mariano. But while Ajesh pushes forward with sheer determination, Mariano has something else on his side, raw physical strength. More than their clashes, it's the tension between Ajesh and Mariano that makes 'Ponman' engaging, and that tension comes from brilliant writing.

Actors like Basil Joseph and Sajin Gopu are often seen in comedic roles with occasional serious moments. But here, Jotish Shankar doesn't give us the chance to view them that way. Sajin doesn't exaggerate his performance to fit the mould of a typical villain, while Basil plays Ajesh with a directness that makes him feel grounded.

Ajesh is shown as someone with a singular focus, but what makes him unsettling is the sheer confidence with which he pursues his goals. His perseverance is almost intimidating, making you wonder how far he's willing to go.

Every character in 'Ponman' has shades of grey, which is exactly what makes them feel real. They do what they must because, for them, survival depends on it.

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It's in the second half that we start seeing the justifications behind their actions. R Indugopan weaves in these triggering elements throughout, maintaining the tension until the end.

If there's one thing that stands out, it's that the final stretch doesn't quite hit the level of intensity you might expect. Nevertheless, the film maintains a steady and engaging pace.

The supporting cast, including Lijomol Jose, Anand Manmadhan, and Jaya Kurup, deliver solid performances. Lijomol's character experiences several ups and downs throughout the film, and she holds her ground well. Her character exudes a certain coyness that subtly tests the moral compass of the viewers, a testament to the actor's brilliance.

'Ponman' marks a breakthrough for Basil Joseph, as he fully immerses himself in Ajesh, letting the character take the spotlight. It's a film that's best experienced in theatres and well worth the watch.

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