As a directorial debut, the film was criticized for a "mindless" storyline and a lack of narrative momentum leading up to the interval. The The Hindu highlighted that it relies heavily on familiar tropes from Dileep’s earlier films.
User reviews are heavily mixed, with some finding it "boring" and others enjoying it as a "decent watch".
3.0/5 ("Light-hearted, time-pass movie"). Thattaserry Kottam (2023) Malayalam HQ HDRip - ...
(2022) is generally regarded as a light-hearted, one-time watch that struggles to move beyond its dated "old-school" formula. Directed by Anoop Padmanabhan, the film centers on Sanju (Arjun Ashokan), a goldsmith's nephew who balances odd jobs with his dreams while navigating a romance with a wealthy jeweler's daughter. Key Takeaways from Reviews
2.5/5 ("Fails to rise above its old-school template"). As a directorial debut, the film was criticized
The film is described as a "mixed bag" due to a sharp genre shift. The first half is a breezy, nostalgic buddy comedy reminiscent of 90s entertainers, while the second half transitions into a more serious, predictable crime thriller.
The cinematography by Jatin Stencilus, particularly the shots of Aluva and the Kochi metro, is considered one of the film's highlights. Overall Ratings Key Takeaways from Reviews 2
Critics widely praised Arjun Ashokan for carrying the film with a sincere performance, though reviewers on Letterboxd noted the supporting cast was often underutilized.