Last updated: 8 May 2026


Malayalam · Comedy, Family, Romance
2h 11m · 19 Oct 2017
Music: Justin Varghese | DOP: Mukesh Muraleedhar | Writer: George Kora, Althaf Salim
Ratings
Our Rating
3
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela is a semi-autobiographical family drama that revolves around the life of a middle-class family coping with the sudden diagnosis of cancer in the mother. The story is narrated from the perspective of the son, played by Nivin Pauly, who balances humor and emotional turmoil while dealing with the family's crisis. The narrative explores themes of resilience, familial bonds, and the bittersweet moments of life amidst adversity.
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela offers a heartfelt and relatable portrayal of a family's struggle with illness, blending humor and emotion effectively. The screenplay is well-crafted, with a natural flow that keeps the audience engaged without becoming overly melodramatic. The pacing is steady, with the first half focusing on setting up the family dynamics and the second half delving deeper into the emotional challenges and recovery.
The film’s first half is light-hearted and filled with moments of comic relief, which helps in balancing the heavier themes that emerge later. The second half takes a more serious tone but maintains the warmth and hopefulness that defines the narrative. The songs composed by Justin Varghese complement the mood of the film, while the background score subtly enhances the emotional depth without overpowering the scenes.
Cinematography by Mukesh Muraleedhar captures the intimate settings of the household and the naturalistic performances of the cast, adding to the film's authenticity. Overall, the movie is a sensitive and uplifting take on a difficult subject, making it both touching and entertaining.
Nivin Pauly: Natural and heartfelt portrayal of the son balancing humor and emotional support.
Shanthi Krishna: Powerful and nuanced performance as the mother battling cancer.
Lal: Strong presence as the supportive father figure.
Aishwarya Lekshmi: Effective in a supporting role, adding to the family dynamic.
Ahaana Krishna: Convincing and relatable as the younger daughter.
Srindaa: Good supporting role contributing to the narrative.
Strengths
Weaknesses
Althaf Salim's direction is sensitive and assured, handling a delicate subject with a light touch that avoids melodrama. The writing is personal and heartfelt, drawing from real-life experiences which adds to the film’s authenticity.
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Our Rating
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| Type | Value |
|---|---|
| Positive | 70% |
| Neutral | 20% |
| Negative | 10% |
Critics praised Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela for its heartfelt storytelling, strong performances, and balanced tone. The film was appreciated for its realistic portrayal of a family dealing with cancer, blending humor and emotion effectively. Some noted minor pacing issues but overall regarded it as a warm and uplifting film.
Final Box-Office Result
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela released on 19 October 2017 (2017).
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela is declared a ABOVE AVERAGE at the box office.
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela OTT release date not announced yet.
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela directed by Althaf Salim. Produced by Nivin Pauly.
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela stars Nivin Pauly, Shanthi Krishna, Lal, Aishwarya Lekshmi, Ahaana Krishna.
Tollybo rates Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela 3/5. Verdict: ABOVE AVERAGE.
Music for Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela composed by Justin Varghese.
Njandukalude Naattil Oridavela — Genre: Comedy, Family, Romance, Runtime: 131 minutes, Language: Malayalam.