''Enthada Saji'' () is a 2023 Indian

Malayalam Malayalam (; , ) is a Dravidian languages, Dravidian language spoken in the Indian state of Kerala and the union territories of Lakshadweep and Puducherry (union territory), Puducherry (Mahé district) by the Malayali people. It is one of ...

-language

fantasy comedy Fantasy comedy or comic fantasy is a subgenre of fantasy that is primarily humorous in intent and tone. Typically set in imaginary worlds, fantasy comedy often involves puns on, and parodies of, other works of fantasy. Literature The subgenre ro ...

film written and directed by Godfy Xavier Babu. The film features Nivetha Thomas in the title role, with

Kunchacko Boban Kunchacko Boban (born 2 November 1976) is an Indian actor and film producer who works in the Malayalam film industry. He is referred to as Chackochan, and during the early 2000s, he was called "chocolate boy" because of his romantic image. He ...

and

Jayasurya Jayasurya (born 31 August 1978) is an Indian actor, film producer, playback singer, and impressionist who works in Malayalam films. He has appeared in more than 100 films and has won several awards, including a National Film Awards, National Fi ...

in leading roles. It is produced by Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames. This film marks Nivetha Thomas' return to Malayalam cinema after a 9-year hiatus.

Plot

Sajimol is a lazy and spoiled young woman often teased about her single status. One day, after praying in the chapel, she hears the voice of

Saint Roch Roch (lived c. 1348 – 15/16 August 1376/79; traditionally c. 1295 – 16 August 1327), also called Rock in English, was a Majorcan Catholic confessor whose death is commemorated on 16 August and 9 September in Italy; he was especially invo ...

and talks to him through his statue. She requests a personal meeting, and he agrees on the condition that she attends daily mass. Sajimol complies, meeting and conversing with him daily, and he helps transform her life. She adopts a stray dog, rekindles her romance with her old crush Roy, who has returned to Kerala, and Saint Roch promises to ensure her marriage goes smoothly. Sajimol proposes to Roy in a cemetery, and he accepts. Their happiness is short-lived when the statue of Saint Roch is stolen. Sajimol reports it, but the locals dismiss it as the statue holds no significant value, deciding to replace it with a new one. The church allocates funds for the new statue, but the money is misappropriated and divided among members. Cleetus's son donates money to buy the statue to have his name inscribed on it, but Sajimol discovers that this new statue does not speak to her. Determined to recover the original, Sajimol and her friend Minimol search for it. In a dream, Saint Roch reveals that her adopted dog is his. When the dog goes missing but is later found, Sajimol reads the

Bible The Bible is a collection of religious texts that are central to Christianity and Judaism, and esteemed in other Abrahamic religions such as Islam. The Bible is an anthology (a compilation of texts of a variety of forms) originally writt ...

for clues and locates the statue in an abandoned house, only for it to be stolen again. Sajimol pursues the thieves on her bicycle and retrieves the statue. The chapel rewards her with the statue, and a few months later, Sajimol marries Roy.

Cast

Production

, and Nivetha Thomas were cast in the film in 2022. The shooting commenced on 1 April 2022 and concluded on 24 May 2022. Principal photography began on 1 April 2022. This film marks the director's debut. The trailer was released on 6 April 2023. The film, which received mixed reviews, was released in theatres on 8 April 2023.

Music

The soundtrack album for ''Enthada Saji'' was composed by William Francis, while the original background score was created by Jakes Bejoy. The songs "Neehaaram" and "Athmavil, Doorangal" were composed by William Francis.

Reception

Vignesh Madhu, critic of ''

Cinema Express ''Cinema Express'' was an Indian Tamil language, Tamil-language entertainment fortnightly magazine published from Chennai, Tamil Nadu. It was a part of The New Indian Express, The New Indian Express Group, which also publishes ''Samakalika Mal ...

'', wrote that "Watching ''Enthada Saji'' feels like attending a prayer session as the makers indulge in plenty of preachiness, told mostly through Bible verses," and gave it 2.25 stars out of 5. Sanjith Sidhardhan, critic of ''

OTTPlay HT Media is an Indian mass media company based in Delhi. It has holdings in print, electronic and digital media. HT Media's flagship newspaper is the ''Hindustan Times'', the second most widely read English newspaper in India after ''The Times of ...

'', gave it 3 out of 5 and stated that "''Enthada Saji'' is simple and pleasing, elevated by some warm moments and delightful performances of its cast". ''

Mathrubhumi ''Mathrubhumi'' is a Malayalam newspaper that is published from Kerala, India. It was founded by K. P. Kesava Menon, an active volunteer in the Indian freedom struggle against the British. The word "Mathrubhumi" translates to 'mother land'. ...

'' gave it a mixed review.

Release

Theatrical

The film was released in theatres on 7 April 2023.

Home media

The digital streaming rights of ''Enthada Saji'' were acquired by

Amazon Prime Video Amazon Prime Video, known simply as Prime Video, is an American subscription video on-demand over-the-top streaming television service owned by Amazon. The service primarily distributes films and television series produced or co-produced by ...

References

External links

* {{IMDb title, 15826290 2020s Malayalam-language films *