Enthada Saji

Enthada Saji is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy comedy film written and directed by Godfy Xavier Babu, featuring Nivetha Thomas in the title role, with Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya in lead roles. It is produced by Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames. This film marks the return of Nivetha Thomas in Malayalam film after a 9 years hiatus.

Plot
Sajimol is a lazy and spoiled kid who is often teased about not being married. One day, after praying in the chapel, she hears Saint Roch and talks to him through his statue. She requests him to come face to face to meet him and he agrees but with the condition that she should attend daily mass. Sajimol does as told and so, she meets and talks with him daily and he helps her change her life. She helps a stray dog and adopts it and then finds her old crush Roy who came back to Kerala and falls in love with him. Saint Roch even promises that he will help so that her marriage can be done without obstacles. Later, Sajimol proposes to Roy in the cemetery, and Roy accepts it. Everything goes happily until one day, she finds the statue stolen and informs the people. Sadly, no one was bothered about it as they knew there was nothing on the statue which was expensive and decided to buy a new one.

The church donates money for the statue, but it is used illegally and divided by its members. Cleetus's son gives money to buy the statue so that his name may come on it but Sajimol finds out it does not speak to her and decides to find the old one with her friend Minimol. Saint Roch tells her in a dream that her adopted dog is his, then she sees that her dog is missing but finds it. She reads the Bible to find clues to Saint Roch, leading her to an abandoned house where she finds the statue only for it to be stolen again. Sajimol chases the thieves with the cycle and gets the statue back. The chapel gifts it Sajimol for finding and getting it back and a few months later, Sajimol marries Roy.

Production
Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, and Nivetha Thomas were finalized in the film in 2022. The film's shooting started on 1 April 2022 and was wrapped up on 24 May 2022.

Principal photography started on 1 April 2022. The film is the director's debut. The trailer was released on 6 April 2023. It received mixed reviews and opened in theatres on 8 April 2023.

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

Reception
Vignesh Madhu critic of Cinema Express 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 2.25 star out of 5. Sanjith Sidhardhan critic of OTTplay gave 3 out of 5 and stated that "Simple and pleasing, Enthada Saji is elevated by some warm moments and delightful performances of its cast". The Mathrubhumi gave it a mixed review.

Theatrical
The film was released in theatres on 7 April 2023.

Home media
The digital streaming rights of Enthada Saji were sold to Amazon Prime Video.