Christmas is just a few hours away and the theatres already have a feast prepared for you. One of the many items in the feast is the Asif Ali-starrer Kunjeldho. Directed by popular RJ Mathukutty, the comedy drama movie released today after delays owing to the pandemic induced theatre closure.

Kunjeldho marks the directorial debut of Mathukutty, who is also the writer of the film. Aside from Ali reprising the titular character, the movie has Gopika Udayan and Siddique in pivotal roles and Vineeth Srinivasan, Rekha, and Sudeesh in supporting characters. Swaroop Philip cinematographed the film while Shaan Rehmaan scored it's music.

In the first take, Kunjeldho is a breezy entertainer. The 129-minute film follows the journey of Kunjeldho (played by Asif Ali) from teenage years to his twenties, covering his transition from boyhood to manhood—this forms the crux of the story. Kunjeldho falls in love with collegemate Niveditha and the two of them face a life-changing decision. How the two navigate the consequences of their choice encapsulates the second half of the film.

The concept of young, college romance is nothing new in the Malayalam film industry, but what sets Kunjeldho apart from others is the lighthearted treatment of a serious topic. Mathukutty's choice of being subtle with its messaging and character arc gives us a wonderful treat. What acts as the icing on top is Shaan Rehmaan's smooth and soothing score, which adds to the charm of the movie.

Asif Ali as Kunjeldho couldn't have been a better casting choice. With his innate boyish charm, Ali was convincing as a 19-year-old grappling with a crash course in adulting. Gopika Udayan's Niveditha was poised and blended with the tone of the film. The two leads, when combined with a stellar supporting cast, gives you a movie that has no dull moments.

Kunjeldho touches upon a sensitive subject and manages to give a decent treatment. However, the movie is not without its problems. The problematic nature of peer pressure and the resulting impulsive decision is never given the attention it deserved. Instead, the entire issue was swept under the rug with a clever joke between friends. The silver lining, however, is the accountability and sense of responsibility demonstrated by Kunjeldho throughout the film.

In a nutshell, Kunjeldho is a wonderfully executed comedy drama that will remind you of your college days and young love. With soothing tones and music, the movie gives you a momentary escape from the daily grind. Suffice to say, this is the perfect family entertainer for Christmas 2021.