A Delightful Blend of Humor, Emotion, and Fantasy in Nivin’s Sarvam Maya

(Spoiler Alert – Minor Plot Details Ahead)

Thiruvananthapuram: Malayalam cinema still remembers the charm of Pappan Priyappetta Pappan, a film that turned the idea of ghosts on its head. Long before Loka floated onto screens, Pappan made the supernatural friendly and neighbourly instead of terrifying. Sathyan Anthikad, with the sharp writing of Siddique–Lal, showed that a ghost could be more heartwarming than horrifying, and that magic still lingers.

Akhil Sathyan, walking in his father’s footsteps, takes a swing at the same genre but with a modern twist. Nivin, playing Prabhendu Namboodiri, is a treat to watch, and the fun-filled camaraderie with Delulu (Riya Shibu) and Aju Varghese’s Roopesh adds a playful spark. The film carries a light-hearted, feel-good charm, making it an ideal watch for a relaxed Christmas–New Year break.

Aju Varghese,Nivin Pauly, Riya Shibu, Akhil Sathyan

The plot follows a guitarist who drifts away from his roots, only to try patching things up later. Nivin’s character starts off as an atheist, but as the film progresses, even the ghost’s persistent attempts to convert him into a believer can feel a bit over the top. There’s also a double- meaning joke that feels shoehorned in, and the story line of a broken young man finding healing with women’s help feels slightly worn.

Still, it’s a joy seeing Nivin in his element. His comic timing and playful expressions bring plenty of spark, making the film a solid Christmas treat. As a fantasy comedy, it lifts the spirits and offers a fun break from serious roles.

Aju Varghese and Nivin Pauly. From the sets of Sarvam Maya

At its core, the film carries the warmth and kindness typical of Anthikad movies, if that’s your cup of tea, you’re in for a ride. Fans of fantasy mixed with fun will find plenty to enjoy, as the script tries to blends emotion, stunts, and humour. While it’s not without its rough edges, the film delivers a heartwarming, toe-tapping, feel-good experience that’s worth catching in theatres.

The film also features Malayalam favourites Janardanan, Raghunath Paleri, Madhu Warrier, Altaf Salim, and Preethi Mukundan. It is produced under the banner of Firefly Films by Ajay Kumar and Rajeev Menon.

Justin Prabhakar has composed the music, Sharan Velayudhan handled the cinematography, and Akhil Satyan is in charge of editing.