Malayalee from India

Malayalee from India is a 2024 Indian Malayalam-language comedy drama film directed by Dijo Jose Antony, written by Sharis Mohammed, and produced by Listin Stephen for Magic Frames. It stars Nivin Pauly, Dhyan Sreenivasan and Anaswara Rajan in lead roles, while Deepak Jethi and Shine Tom Chacko play the supporting roles. The film's music was composed by Jakes Bejoy.

Malayalee from India was released on 1 May 2024 to mixed-to-positive reviews from critics with praise for its cast performance and soundtrack but criticism for its writing, screenplay dialogues and pace.

Plot
Aalparambil Gopi lives in Mullakara, Kerala, where he spends time playing cricket or campaigning for a nationalist political party. His best friend is Malghosh and the two end up getting into trouble most of the time. Gopi falls in love with Krishna, a girl who is younger than him.

An untoward incident without proper understanding results in violent clashes between the Hindus and Muslims in the village. Malghosh is attacked and to safeguard Gopi from the police and the violent mob, he is sent abroad to work. He gets disheartened as he sees his workplace located in a desert and the only co worker being a Pakistani, his supervisor. Gopi and Sahib initially doesn't get together well. But after some incidents like Gopi testing positive for Corona and Sahib taking care of him, few men attacking Sahib and Gopi saving him, etc, they start to bond. Sahib narrates to Gopi how he had sent both his children, a son and a daughter to school despite the restrictions and in the process, lost his son. Sahib falls ill due to COVID-19 and eventually dies. Gopi travels to Sahib's house at Rawalpindi, to meet his wife and daughter, Dua. He informs the daughter about the death, motivates her to study as her father wanted and gives her the book, Wings of Fire.

5 years later, Dua is seen speaking at the UN where she mentions about "a man in her life" who changed her life around. Gopi is now a good man, Malghosh has also turned for good, Krishna seems to like Gopi now.

The movie ends with a Pakistani worker coming to work under Gopi and he reminiscing his own journey.

Production
The film's title was announced in December 2023 with a promotional video.

Music
The music and background score is composed by Jakes Bejoy, in his maiden collaboration with Nivin Pauly; thirdth with Dijo Jose Antony after Queen (2018) and Jana Gana Mana (2022). The audio rights were acquired by Magic Frames Music. The first single "Krishna Song" was released on 24 March 2024. The second single "World Malayalee Anthem" was released on 20 April 2024. The last single "The World of Gopi" was released on 28 April 2024. The entire soundtrack album was released on 30 April 2024.

Theatrical
Malayalee from India was released in theatres on 1 May 2024.

Home media
The film's post-theatrical digital streaming rights were acquired by Sony LIV, and started streaming on 5 July 2024.

Reception
Gopika I. S. of The Times of India gave 3/5 stars and wrote, "The message of the film is clear but it goes to deliver it in such a roundabout way that one would feel like they watched two different films". Rohit Panikker of Times Now gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "If anything, this film is saved by some relatable moments of humour, a little bit of bold political statements, and a solid performance by Nivin Pauly".

Rashmi Kuttan of Asianet Newsable wrote that, "The anticipation is palpable, especially after Nivin's impressive cameo in Varshangalkku Shesham alongside Dhyan Sreenivasan. With the dynamic duo reuniting, this time as buddies, expectations are soaring". Sanjith Sidhardhan of OTTPlay gave 3.5/5 stars and wrote, "Whether you are a fan of political satires or entertainers, this Nivin Pauly-starrer has enough to keep you entertained in theatres".

Janani K of India Today gave 2.5/5 stars and wrote, "Throw in some Pakistani education activist Malala Yousafzai, you get 'Malayalee From India". Anandu Suresh of The Indian Express wrote that, "In short, Malayalee From India is loud, irritating and underwhelming and serves as a reality check for Malayalees amidst the recent flurry of successful films".

S. R. Praveen of The Hindu wrote that, "Some subtlety and an organic narrative could have gone a long way into turning this into a much more relevant film than it is now". Latha Srinivasan of Hindustan Times wrote that, "Malayalee From India is disappointing and is not the comeback that the talented Nivin Pauly deserves".

Arjun Menon of Film Companion wrote that, "However, the execution feels far-fetched and overdrawn and this affects any sense of engagement with the film’s flawed yet fascinatingly interwoven political vision".