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Guppy (2016) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

Guppy (2016) Review

Directed by Johnpaul George, Guppy (2016) is a Malayalam comedy, drama film starring Chethan Jayalal, Tovino Thomas, Sreenivasan. The story revolves around a boy named Guppy(Master Chethan) who finds his living out of rearing and selling the small fish Guppy. Guppy has this dream of buying an automatic wheel chair for his ailing mother (Rohini). Things gets into turmoil when Engineer Thejus Varkey (Tovino Thomas) comes to the ... Our Rating: 3.5/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT. Released: 5 Aug 2016. Runtime: 2h 38m.

Guppy
SUPER HIT

Guppy(2016)

Malayalam · Comedy, Drama

2h 38m · 5 Aug 2016

Music: Vishnu Vijay | DOP: Girish Gangadharan | Writer: Johnpaul George

Drama

Ratings

FirstpostFirstpostAI3.5
The HinduThe HinduAI4
Times of IndiaTimes of IndiaAI3.5
IMDbIMDb8.1
LetterboxdLetterboxd3.6

Our Rating

3.5

📖 Story

Guppy is a Malayalam drama that revolves around the life of a young boy named Guppy and his interactions with a local fish seller. The story explores themes of innocence, societal conflicts, and human relationships set against a coastal backdrop. The narrative unfolds through the perspectives of Guppy and the fish seller, highlighting their struggles and emotional journeys.

🔍 Analysis

Guppy offers a heartfelt and nuanced portrayal of its characters, with a story that delicately balances emotional depth and social commentary. The screenplay is well-crafted, weaving together moments of warmth and tension that keep the audience engaged throughout. The pacing is steady, with the first half establishing the characters and setting a contemplative tone, while the second half intensifies the conflicts and emotional stakes.

The film's music, composed by Vishnu Vijay, complements the narrative beautifully. The songs are minimal yet impactful, blending seamlessly with the background score to enhance the mood without overwhelming the scenes. The BGM is subtle and evocative, supporting the film's introspective and poignant moments.

Overall, Guppy stands out for its sensitive storytelling, strong performances, and technical finesse, particularly in cinematography and sound design, which together create an immersive cinematic experience.

🎭 Performances

Chethan Jayalal: Delivering a natural and convincing portrayal of Guppy, capturing the innocence and emotional depth of the character.

Tovino Thomas: Strong and nuanced, bringing complexity and empathy to the role of the fish seller.

Sreenivasan: Effective in a supporting role, adding layers to the narrative with his seasoned acting.

Rohini: Subtle and heartfelt, contributing significantly to the emotional core of the film.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

Strengths

  • Emotional and sensitive storytelling
  • Strong performances by lead actors
  • Effective screenplay and pacing
  • Impressive cinematography by Girish Gangadharan
  • Subtle and evocative music and background score

Weaknesses

  • Some viewers may find the pacing slow
  • Limited commercial appeal due to its contemplative nature

🎬 Direction & Writing

Johnpaul George's direction is assured and sensitive, focusing on character-driven storytelling with a keen eye for detail. His writing reflects a deep understanding of human emotions and social nuances, resulting in a film that is both intimate and thought-provoking.

🛠️ Technical Aspects
  • - Cinematography by Girish Gangadharan
  • - Music direction by Vishnu Vijay
  • - Editing that maintains narrative flow
  • - Sound design and background score

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
The HinduThe Hindu
4.00 / 5
FirstpostFirstpost
3.50 / 5
Times of IndiaTimes of India
3.50 / 5

Our Rating

3.5/5

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive70%
Neutral20%
Negative10%

Critics

Critics praised Guppy for its heartfelt narrative, strong performances, and technical finesse. The film was noted for its emotional depth and the director's ability to handle sensitive themes with subtlety. While some reviews pointed out the slow pacing, the overall reception highlighted the film's artistic merit and storytelling strength.

Final Box-Office Result

SUPER HIT

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Guppy release in theatres?

Guppy released on 5 August 2016 (2016).

Is Guppy a hit or flop?

Guppy is declared a SUPER HIT at the box office.

Where to watch Guppy online? OTT release date?

Guppy OTT release date not announced yet.

Who directed Guppy?

Guppy directed by Johnpaul George.

Who are the main cast members of Guppy?

Guppy stars Chethan Jayalal, Tovino Thomas, Sreenivasan, Rohini, Sudheer Karamana.

What is the Tollybo rating for Guppy?

Tollybo rates Guppy 3.5/5. Verdict: SUPER HIT.

Who composed the music for Guppy?

Music for Guppy composed by Vishnu Vijay.

What is the genre and runtime of Guppy?

Guppy — Genre: Comedy, Drama, Runtime: 158 minutes, Language: Malayalam.

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