Girish AD’s ‘I Am Kathalan’ is a satisfying story that’s part techno-thriller, part coming-of-age drama

Naslen K Gafoor plays an underdog whose superpower is that he is a hacker, and his funny and serious journey through revenge and repentance makes for another small win from this director. The rest of this review may contain spoilers, so do read/watch at your discretion.

I Am Kathalan is written by Sajin Cherukayil, but you can sense director Girish AD’s signature all over. Like Thanneer Mathan Dinangal and Premalu, the film centres on a likeable loser: his name is Vishnu, and he’s played by Naslen K Gafoor. One day, Vishnu brings a friend home for the first time. This friend is another loser, and we get a small scene where he is introduced to Vishnu’s sister and chats with her. Her name is Ammu, and when the protective mother stands in the doorway, pointedly listening to this conversation, you wait for a joke to erupt. You think the joke will be built on Vishnu’s friend. But the joke, based on Ammu’s name, occurs a little later, when you least expect it. And while staging it, Girish doesn’t treat it like a “joke”. There are no exaggerated reaction shots, no funny lines. There’s just a small acknowledgement by Vishnu, and the movie rolls on. If you think that Ammu bit was funny and if you laugh, then good. Otherwise, let’s get on with the story. That’s the Girish AD signature.

You can read the rest of the review here:

https://www.galattaplus.com/girish-ads-i-am-kathalan-is-a-satisfying-story-thats-part-techno-thriller-part-coming-of-age-drama/

You can watch the trailer / video review here:

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