Neelavelicham movie review: A well-executed adaptation that doesn’t justify its redundant existence

That’s the reason the new film looks dated in terms of both story and emotions. Both the original short story and Bhargavi Nilayam have inspired horror films for generations. Naturally, one can’t expect the novelty in the latest version, which ends up becoming predictable. On top of that, being faithful to Bhargavi Nilayam has also rendered the latest film melodramatic. The love story between Bhargavi and Sasikumar, which is absent in the original short story, needed an update for the current times though the film is a period drama. Instead of reflecting the sacred position love enjoyed back in the day, the film ends up emulating the melodrama of Bharagavi Nilayam. And hence, Neelavelicham becomes a Xerox of a Xerox lacking a unique life and meaning on its own. Perhaps, the weakest element of Neelavelicham is its one-dimensional and cliched antagonist, Nanukutty (Shine Tom Chacko). The actor is not the problem here, it is the way the character is written (or should I say copy-pasted from the old film).

Yet, it is the performance of Tovino Thomas and the affectionate intonation in his dialogues with the ghost that makes the film a bit interesting. Whenever he calls her ‘Bhargavikutty’, it is heartwarming. The way he slowly starts cohabiting in the mansion with the ghost is strangely lovely to see. The interactions between the living and the dead throughout the first half become the memorable parts of the film, and that’s why the movie fizzles out post the interval, where such interactions become nil. Maybe, these few streaks of goodness might make people revisit the original text. Maybe, that’s why such echoes and Xerox copies are needed and justified.