Geethanjali

Geethanjali is a 2013 Indian psychological horror-thriller film written by Dennis Joseph and directed by Priyadarshan, produced by G. P. Vijayakumar. The film features a star-studded cast, headed by "The Complete Actor" Mohanlal, accompanied by rising talents of the time Nishan and Keerthy Suresh.

The movie opens with Anjali (Keerthy Suresh) moving into a mansion along with her two cousins for her treatment. The mansion, named 'Madampalli,' is bestowed with an intriguing history and enchanting architecture. The grandeur of this mansion is tainted with some eerie occurrences reported in the past, which have spread gossip around the locality about it being haunted.

With the central character of Anjali, who is apparently suffering from a terminal disease, the narrative subtly intertwines the elements of horror with a psychological perspective. Keerthy Suresh, in her debut role, convincingly brings life to her multi-dimensional character with a poised and mature act. Her character pivots between the realms of the mundane world and the supernatural.

Mohanlal takes on a familiar role as Dr. Sunny Joseph, a character he previously portrayed in the classic 'Manichitrathazhu,' further expanding the depth of this enigmatic character. Dr. Sunny is funny, intuitive, and brilliant with his psychoanalytical abilities. His witty charm and intellect create a captivating atmosphere as he is pulled into the puzzling events happening in Madampalli. Throughout the movie, he employs his skills to decipher what is causing the unnerving experiences and aims to bring relief to Anjali.

Mohanlal, as always, brilliantly performs his character with his outstanding ability to blend into the role. The depth and nuances he provides to Dr. Sunny only further enhances the intriguing ambiance of the film. Viewers familiar with the mould of Dr. Sunny Joseph from 'Manichitrathazhu' will admire the nimbleness and congeniality Mohanlal imparts to this iconic character, giving it a fresh representation.

Nishan delivers a competent performance as Nakulan, Anjali's loving and dutiful fiancé. His character is a pillar of strength for her, dealing with the eerie occurrences and their aftermath while maintaining rational thinking.

The collectiveness of the performances, combined with a compelling storyline, forms the bedrock of this chilling movie. The plot twists and turns, navigating between elements of psychological thriller and supernatural horror, while keeping the viewers on the edge of their seats.

As a director, Priyadarshan employs his trademark filmmaking style in dealing with the atmospheric horror elements of the story. However, he also pivots from his usual comedy genre territory to delve deep into psychological and thriller aspect, adding various shades to the narrative. His stamp is distinctly visible in the way he maintains a fine balance between horror and psychological facets of the storyline without leaning heavily on any particular side.

The film's cinematography by Tirru beautifully captures the eerie yet opulent Madampalli mansion, becoming a character in the story itself. The combination of wide-angle shots and tight close-ups adds depth and richness to the visual narrative. Enhancing the ambiance is the score by Vidyasagar, which skillfully transitions between sequences by providing a resonating accompaniment that augments the frightening atmosphere of the movie.

Overall, Geethanjali is not merely a horror movie; it is a psychological exploration draped in mystery and suspense, featuring multi-dimensional characters with human vulnerabilities and strengths marking a fantastic blend of stellar performances, intriguing plot, and a well-crafted atmosphere. For those who relish North-Indian cinema's psychological horror-thriller genre, it ticks all the right boxes.