Malikappuram

Malikappuram is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language action adventure drama film directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar and written by Abhilash Pillai.

The film stars Unni Mukundan alongside Deva Nandha, Sreepath, Alphy Panjikaran, Sampath Ram, Saiju Kurup, Ramesh Pisharody, T. G. Ravi, Sreejith Ravi, Manoj K. Jayan, and Renji Panicker in supporting roles.

[5] The plot centres around Kallu, an eight-year-old girl who is a devotee of Ayyappan and desires to visit Sabarimala Temple.

Malikappuram was released theatrically on 30 December 2022 and received positive reviews from critics[1] and emerged as a box office success, becoming the highest grosser in Unni Mukundan's career.

[6] Kalyani (Kallu) is a devotee of the famous deity Ayyappan and is enthusiastic to visit the Sabarimala temple.

Furthermore, Ajayan has also borrowed a huge sum from a local usurer and acquaintance Ambadi, and is unable to repay both the loans.

Ajayan promises Kallu to take her to Sabarimala and that both will do the initial rituals for the pilgrimage, which is supposed to happen a few weeks from thereon.

Kallu becomes frustrated with the fact that she is unable to go to Sabarimala because of her father's death and yells at her classmate and Unni's son Piyoosh.

Piyoosh finds that it is impossible to dissuade Kallu from pursuing her journey to Sabarimala, and decides to accompany her.

Both the kids board a bus to Pamba, and en route they meet Mahi, a local goon who is also a pedophile and trafficker.

Piyoosh senses that something is wrong and tries to persuade Kallu to stop the journey and head back home, but to no avail.

[7] The principal photography of Malikappuram commenced on 12 September 2022 following a pooja ceremony at Erumely Sree Dharmasastha Temple.

[8][9] K. Ananthagopan, then president of the Travancore Devaswom Board, performed the switch-on ceremony, and S. Sudarshan gave the first clap.

[1][26] Gopika S of The Times of India gave a rating of 3 out of 5 and wrote that "Unni Mukundan was a good choice for the role and he easily gains a superhero image among the kids.

[28] Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTT Play rated the film 2.5 out of 5 and wrote, "Malikappuram qualifies as a timepass watch, thanks to its decent second half, elevated by a delightful performance by Unni Mukundan.