A HILARIOUSLY BOLD RIDE THAT DOESN'T ALWAYS STAY ON TRACK

Though it bites off more than it can chew, Maranamass turns its messy madness into something memorably funny, thanks to a committed ensemble of actors

- VIVEK SANTHOSH

ARANAMASS, the directorial debut of Sivaprasad, is a dark comedy that wears its absurdity on its sleeve. The film begins with a parody segment that instantly signals not to take things seriously. Familiar Malayalam journalist Babu Ramachandran appears in a delightfully deadpan cameo as the host of his explainer show Vallaathoru Kadha. His tale? A rundown of a local serial killer, infamously known as the 'banana killer'. This dryly humorous opening sets the tone for the film's eccentric trajectory.