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Kaliyoonjal (1997) Review – Rating, Verdict & Box Office | Tollybo

Last updated: 8 May 2026

Kaliyoonjal (1997) Review

Kaliyoonjal (1997), a Malayalam drama movie starring Mammootty, Shobana, Dileep, is reviewed here. Directed by Babu Narayanan, Anil Kumar. Kaliyoonjal movie portrays a brother to a disturbed sister. The sister, played by Shalini, is mentally disturbed if any thing goes against her will. She is possessive of her brother and creates a havoc when she gets angry. Enter Shobhana who marries Mammootty and Dileep, who plays Shobhana's brother... Our Rating: 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE. Released: 22 Jun 1997. Runtime: 2h 34m.

Kaliyoonjal
BELOW AVERAGE

Kaliyoonjal(1997)

Malayalam · Drama

2h 34m · 22 Jun 1997

Writer: Sathrughnan

Drama

Ratings

IMDbIMDb5.9
LetterboxdLetterboxd0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User0
TMDBTMDB60
TraktTrakt55

Our Rating

2.5

📖 Story

Kaliyoonjal is a Malayalam family drama revolving around the complex relationships within a family, focusing on themes of love, sacrifice, and misunderstandings. The story primarily explores the emotional dynamics between the lead characters played by Mammootty and Shobana, supported by a strong ensemble cast. The narrative unfolds through a series of emotional conflicts and reconciliations that highlight the values of familial bonds and forgiveness.

🔍 Analysis

Kaliyoonjal presents a heartfelt story that delves into family emotions and interpersonal relationships with sincerity. The screenplay maintains a steady pace, with the first half setting up the characters and their motivations effectively, while the second half intensifies the emotional stakes, leading to a satisfying resolution. The narrative is straightforward, relying heavily on performances and dialogues to convey its message.

The film's pacing is balanced, though some moments tend to linger, which might affect the engagement for viewers expecting a faster narrative flow. The songs, though few, blend well with the story and enhance the emotional depth of key scenes. The background score complements the mood of the film, subtly underscoring the dramatic moments without overpowering the scenes.

While the music director and cinematographer details are unavailable, the overall technical presentation supports the film's tone. The direction by Babu Narayanan and Anil Kumar is competent, focusing on character-driven storytelling and emotional resonance rather than commercial extravagance.

🎭 Performances

Mammootty: A mature and nuanced portrayal of a conflicted family man, delivering emotional depth with subtlety.

Shobana: Graceful and heartfelt, effectively conveying vulnerability and strength.

Dileep: Provides a youthful and earnest presence, adding freshness to the ensemble.

Shalini: Natural and engaging, complementing the lead actors well.

💪 Strengths & Weaknesses

✅

Strengths

  • ✓Strong emotional core and family-oriented narrative
  • ✓Effective performances by lead actors
  • ✓Balanced screenplay with meaningful dialogues
  • ✓Subtle and supportive background score
❌

Weaknesses

  • ✕Pacing slows down in certain parts
  • ✕Lack of notable musical highlights
  • ✕Technical aspects like cinematography not very distinctive

🎬 Direction & Writing

The direction by Babu Narayanan and Anil Kumar is focused on extracting emotional performances and maintaining narrative clarity. Their approach is traditional, emphasizing storytelling over stylistic experimentation, which suits the film's family drama genre.

📰 Critic Reviews

Gathering critic reviews…

📰 Ratings Sources

SourceRating
IMDbIMDb
5.9
LetterboxdLetterboxd
0
Metacritic UserMetacritic User
0
TMDBTMDB
60
TraktTrakt
55

Our Rating

2.5/5
★★★★★★★★

💰 Box Office Collection

No collection data available yet.

🏛️ Centers & 🏅 Awards

No centers data available.

No awards data available.

😊 Sentiment Breakdown & 🧠 Critics

TypeValue
Positive60%
Neutral30%
Negative10%

Critics

The film received mixed to positive reviews, with critics appreciating the performances and emotional depth but noting the slow pacing and lack of technical innovation. It was seen as a solid family entertainer that appeals to audiences who favor sentiment-driven narratives.

Final Box-Office Result

BELOW AVERAGE

❓ Frequently Asked Questions

When did Kaliyoonjal release in theatres?▾

Kaliyoonjal released on 22 June 1997 (1997).

Is Kaliyoonjal a hit or flop?▾

Kaliyoonjal is declared a BELOW AVERAGE at the box office.

Where to watch Kaliyoonjal online? OTT release date?▾

Kaliyoonjal is available on JioHotstar, YouTube. OTT date will be updated soon.

Who directed Kaliyoonjal?▾

Kaliyoonjal directed by Babu Narayanan, Anil Kumar. Produced by Siad Kokker.

Who are the main cast members of Kaliyoonjal?▾

Kaliyoonjal stars Mammootty, Shobana, Dileep, Shalini, Oduvil Unnikrishnan.

What is the Tollybo rating for Kaliyoonjal?▾

Tollybo rates Kaliyoonjal 2.5/5. Verdict: BELOW AVERAGE.

What is the genre and runtime of Kaliyoonjal?▾

Kaliyoonjal — Genre: Drama, Runtime: 154 minutes, Language: Malayalam.

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