Baththa - Soulful and Wholesome.

A plot like this demands exceptionally good writing and, more importantly, actors capable of bringing sequences to life with humour, human emotions and everything in between. Get these elements right, and you have a film that can work wonders. Balaji has achieved just that with Baththa, marking his return to the silver screen after almost a decade.

Vijay Sethupathi, as Baththa, isn't a regular protagonist as Sai Prithviraj playing Sabari takes centre stage with this pivotal role. The kid shoulders the film brilliantly, delivering a performance that feels effortless on screen with him delivering a sequence that deserves hats off. 

Baththa opens with a series of scenes that leave you wondering where the story is headed. However, the plot settles quickly as the central conflict is established and the characters surrounding it are intricately woven together like a spider's web. As the narrative unfolds, the film keeps you guessing, constantly surprising you with the twists that come off naturally. 

As for the performances, Lijomol Jose, Santhy and Hari are all brilliant in their respective roles. Balamurugan, the Instagram-famous Mallesh, also gets to share considerable screen time with Vijay Sethupathi.

With a film like Baththa, even a poorly written dialogue or an ill-timed close-up could easily disrupt the audience's emotional connection. This is where the film truly excels. It makes you giggle, cry,  and praise, most importantly, feel the emotions that Baththa and Sabari go through.

The writing is remarkably nuanced, with even the smallest details carefully woven into the narrative, complementing the film's philosophical undertones. Even something as seemingly insignificant as a Gokul Santhol talcum powder gets its own moment of significance. And that's just one of the many little details that make the film special.

The weakest link, however, is Sai Abhyankkar's music. Both the songs and the background score feel out of place, with Chellame Magale being the sole exception. Considering that the film is set in 1986, the music often feels disconnected from the period.

Kudos to Balaji and the entire crew for bringing us Baththa. An emotionally rich film, elevated by brilliant performances and exceptional writing, but held back by its music. 

Do watch in theatres near you.