Humour holds together this ode to the cinema

what saves the movie is the shift in tone that happens in the second half, as the melodrama takes a backseat and Vineeth unleashes his comic energy.

Nivin Pauly, with the able support of Basil Joseph, lifts the film with a performance that has ‘meta’ written all over it. As Nithin Molly, a narcissistic actor who is badly in need of a hit, he takes head on all the things that he was lampooned with on social media, and completelyowns it. Except for a few tasteless scenes of how the star treats his female fans, his sequences are a laugh riot. He excels in the humorous scenes, as does Dhyan in the emotional sequences; Vineeth has given careerreviving turns to both of them.

Many of the scenes are replete with inside jokes and references to the film industry and yesteryear movies. At times, the film feels like a tribute to those who chose not to sell out and stood for their artistic ideals, but one wishes there was better writing to convey this, as well as the other intended emotions of longlost friendship and of achieving celluloid dreams. Though young musician Amrit Ramnath uses a lot of string sections to eke out emotions, the lack of depth in the conflicts makes his efforts only partially successful. With regards to the the events that happen in present day, the makeup for the artistes leaves a lot to be desired, with only Dhyan able to convince us of his age. As for Kalyani Priyadarshan and Neeta Pillai, the female leads, there is hardly any scope for performance.

Varshangalkku Shesham ends up as an earnest ode to cinema and friendship, which would have punched much lower if not for the humour that holds it together, and at times elevates it.

Varshangalkku Shesham is currently running in cinemas