Mahaveeryar

Mahaveeryar is a 2022 Indian Malayalam-language time-travel experimental fantasy comedy film, scripted and directed by Abrid Shine. It was produced by Pauly Jr. Pictures and Indian Movie Makers, based on a short story written by the writer M. Mukundan. The film stars Nivin Pauly, Asif Ali, Shanvi Srivastava, Lal, and Siddique in lead roles. It was released on 21 July 2022.

Premise
The film focuses on justice for a woman by time-travel to a court in the 21st century through the 18th-century lens. The proceedings are snowballed by a time-traveling monk named Apoornnananda Swamikal. The film opens with a funny situation the monk created to set the stage for his case of interest.

Cast

 * Nivin Pauly as Swami Apoornnanandan
 * Asif Ali as Veerabhadran
 * Shanvi Srivastava as Devayani
 * Lal as Rudhra Mahaveera Ugrasena Maharaja Thirumannasu
 * Siddique as MM Veerendra Kumar -Chief Judicial Magistrate
 * Lalu Alex as Public Prosecutor
 * Major Ravi as Veerabhaskar
 * Mallika Sukumaran as Kaladevi
 * Vijay Menon as Veerasimhan
 * Krishna Prasad as Krishnanunni
 * Kalabhavan Prajod as Veerachandran T.N
 * Sudheer Paravoor as Babukuttan
 * Natasha Singh as Veerabhadran's wife

Music
The soundtrack of Maha Veeryar is composed by Ishaan Chhabra and lyrics by B. K. Harinarayanan and Assanu Anna Augustine.

Production
Mahaveeryar is the third-time collaboration between Nivin and Abrid Shine, after 1983 and Action Hero Biju. The film was produced by Nivin's own production house, Pauly Jr. Pictures. After starring together in Rajesh Pillai's Traffic and Joshiy's Sevenes, Asif and Nivin reunite a decade later in the film. The cinematography was handled by Chandru Selvaraj, and the music was composed by Ishaan Chhabra. Kannada actor Shanvi Srivastava plays the female lead.

The principal photography of the film started on 21 February 2021 with a switch-on ceremony in Rajasthan. The major portion was shot in Jaipur. On 20 April 2021, principal photography of the film was completed.

Release
The film was released in theaters on 21 July 2022. Subsequently, it was released digitally through Sun NXT on 10 February 2023.

Reception
The film received mixed reviews from critics. The Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5 stars and wrote "It is the best of times.. If you are in the mood for fun mixed with seriousness, this movie is for you".

The perceived drawback of the film was that it does not have any transitory segments/voice-over or creative cues surrounding time travel, legal proceedings, and social justice. However, few critics heaped praises on the film.

The climax was later changed and was better received and understood by the audience.

Accolades

 * Kerala Film Critics Association Awards (2022)
 * Best Story – M. Mukundan