Set up completely non traditionally this film is a little like a 'wonder years' kind of look at a college festival. For this students that's the most important thing in life at that point. Now a Jo Jeeta wahi sikander May have done a similar thing with a lot more drama and a clear protagonist etc. This film chooses no real protagonist who's eyes you see things from. And that may wear the pace down, but you definitely do get a sense of the small small beautiful things about college life and how seriously we take college fests. Nice ending. As a personal choice, I'd have wanted much less music. Began to pull away from the film.
26 Reviews
Poomaram is Abrid Shine's love letter to college life, youth and art in general.
Jithindurden21 October 2018
He uses a bare bone structure of a story that deals with the rivalry between two colleges in an intercollege art festival competition to showcase the impact of art in life and the different facets of the usual art festival in colleges of Kerala.
This film made me want to go to college again and experience all these things which I used to watch from a distance when I was in college. Even though studying in a college that didn't encourage such activities much, these were still part of that life and as an introvert, I used to be part of a few off-stage events and watch everything else. This film stays true to that life for the most part almost like a documentary using cleaner footages of those art-activities. The history of the famous artists who were part of Maharajas college and their focus on the art itself made me wish I had studied there.
The nostalgia factor is heavy with this film, I can't believe I won't be a part of anything like this anymore. Two years after college and this is the first time I am truly missing everything. The only problem with the film was the ending, it was a bit sudden and forced which almost makes it look ridiculous, they could've gone for a simpler ending and still convey the message. But even in his previous films Abrid Shine have tended to make mistakes that come from good intentions.
This film made me want to go to college again and experience all these things which I used to watch from a distance when I was in college. Even though studying in a college that didn't encourage such activities much, these were still part of that life and as an introvert, I used to be part of a few off-stage events and watch everything else. This film stays true to that life for the most part almost like a documentary using cleaner footages of those art-activities. The history of the famous artists who were part of Maharajas college and their focus on the art itself made me wish I had studied there.
The nostalgia factor is heavy with this film, I can't believe I won't be a part of anything like this anymore. Two years after college and this is the first time I am truly missing everything. The only problem with the film was the ending, it was a bit sudden and forced which almost makes it look ridiculous, they could've gone for a simpler ending and still convey the message. But even in his previous films Abrid Shine have tended to make mistakes that come from good intentions.
Not everyone's cup of tea.
Vibijithnair11 January 2019
Definitely not my cup of tea but somewhat I liked it however I can't say I enjoyed it thoroughly. Film focuses on youth festival where people from different background participate and compete against each other. If you'd participated in such events or atleast been a spectator for dental years and you've enjoyed it then this film is for you. Probably this could evoke a nostalgia in you wanting to revisit your childhood otherwise film would end up as a boring yarn. Still I would say not to leave movie without watching climax because that's the best part of the film. Climax was totally enlightening and appealing to eyes. All the actors were amateurs barring a few but have done a good job though nothing outstanding. Music and lyrics was the soul of the film and was able to convey many things that film aiming to accomplish. My personal favorite were Kadavathoru thonirapu and Neramayi. Definitely top contender for the year. Regardless of the outcome I still appreciate Abrid shine for coming up with such different concepts after every film.
+ ve: Music, climax, acting, some scenes were good.
-ve: lethargic pace, poetic style narration could not be digestible for everyone.
Had the film was told in a more engaging manner then I would've rated it high, well for now 6/10
Didn't understand what they wanted to portray
divyakurian4 January 2019
Warning: Spoilers
First - Really enjoyed Kalidas' father whose a professor in this movie - his intelligence and way of making one understand the situation is just amazing. Loved his role and interpretations.
Second - Kalidas whose a poet and known for his poetry - none of his poems were shown and the competition in which he participated was not shown.
Third - college fest , the movie showed competitions and people participating , taking undue advantages and so on.
Fourth - an artist got blind and to bring in peace he made picture of budha at the end. Like, how do they bring in a change until and unless people don't want that change
Other than this there was nothing. I don't lnow why people have given so much ratings in a movie in which there was nothing.
I liked kalidas' acting but then it didn't change my mind about the movie. It shows real side of what goes in a fest but it was slow too.
Tree of Reflection
sudhakaranakhilan18 March 2018
Warning: Spoilers
POOMARAM
Abrid Shine
Exactly! Poomaram is really the Tree with flowers rather there is a slight change, it is not flowers actually, and it's the 'flowers of reflection'. A vivid and verified path of Abrid from his early movies, Poomaram struck with the exposures of energized generation to outbreak the actuality of the thundering situations across the world. It is not just a simple point of perception according to the movie's all-round outcome, it passes away an abnormal condition of the world which the current situations fingers. Let's recall the innocent faces and moments from Syria, we recently witnessed, and then we can find out the depth of the subject that the movie tells. I would like to scribe my points about the movie in accordance with Abrid's early work Action Hero Biju because these two movies had some sort of similarities. Action Hero Biju, invited us to a Police station, the things that happening there and all above the common lives of people encircled with the Police Station. Here, in Poomaram he also walks along with us to a University Youth Festival Venue and he just captured all the things that happening there. Straightly the Police Station (from AHB) changes into a Youth Festival Venue. At the same time, these two movies depart so far from the totality when we discussed about the subject that these two movies carries. I can place Poomaram up above AHB when it came to the subject matter. So, how is that? Let gave a look. I was already focused on the topic which prolonged in me when I cross with two Abrid Shine movies but now on I'm not going for a comparison. I should say, what might be the reason for me to upgrade Poomaram from the early works of Abride. It might be the path of change in his direction style. Yes, I think Abrid walks upwards as a matured director in all perspectives when it comes to Poomaram. How he handles characters is always a great matter of amazement for the novice filmmakers because in his three movies there were a lot of fresh faces on the screen and all of them never recalls us they are fresh. That's the matter of director's credit to organize and simulate each and every character to memorable one. Aristo Suresh from AHB, Suraj Venjaramood from AHB (till AHB he was only recognized as a comedian), Kili and his Guitarist friend from Poomaram, and lot of references. Let's forbid all these things and we can come straight to the point, how Abrid got a new way of direction style and how he can manage Poomaram very well? The subject of Poomaran is really a massive one. I used the word 'Massive' because I can't find any other word or phrases to depict it in such a way. Masssive, the word is so powerful, I think. This word has the strength to collapse or destroy everything. Massive is straightly refers to destruction, alike War. The subject matter of Poomaram is War. That's why I referred above the situations happened in Syria. I pointed this because, that was the recent issue struck in everybody's mind when we heard about the word War. Poomaram, as we early said is a tree with flowers (like the word denotes), but in my view that I'm already pointed it is not mere a simple flower; it is the flower of reflection. Flower of reflection actually refers to the flower of Revolution. It is the striking of revolution, the revolution that resonant for a powerful outbreak. It disturbs us and emerge us to make sound and to make noise to stop everything. It sticks in our mind with a carving strike of disturbance unto the utmost when we witness the Massive outbreak of War. Yes, simply the film is about the director's disturbance of the lives and struggles of people who carries the burden of War. I also like the way how he shows his arrogance and how he reverberate his conscience. The climax is the shadow of reflection; that we early said and it reflects the lights in our hands which remembers the lights are not in our hands, it is in our heart. I am not going to blame anyone at the end of my writing, but I'm just scribbling my arrogance to everyone; to the Nation, the Government, the Bureaucrats and the people and finally to me also. We should step forward to stop the 'Massive' War and should stand for peace like the Man... Like the God has done. NB: AHB is Action Hero Biju
Exactly! Poomaram is really the Tree with flowers rather there is a slight change, it is not flowers actually, and it's the 'flowers of reflection'. A vivid and verified path of Abrid from his early movies, Poomaram struck with the exposures of energized generation to outbreak the actuality of the thundering situations across the world. It is not just a simple point of perception according to the movie's all-round outcome, it passes away an abnormal condition of the world which the current situations fingers. Let's recall the innocent faces and moments from Syria, we recently witnessed, and then we can find out the depth of the subject that the movie tells. I would like to scribe my points about the movie in accordance with Abrid's early work Action Hero Biju because these two movies had some sort of similarities. Action Hero Biju, invited us to a Police station, the things that happening there and all above the common lives of people encircled with the Police Station. Here, in Poomaram he also walks along with us to a University Youth Festival Venue and he just captured all the things that happening there. Straightly the Police Station (from AHB) changes into a Youth Festival Venue. At the same time, these two movies depart so far from the totality when we discussed about the subject that these two movies carries. I can place Poomaram up above AHB when it came to the subject matter. So, how is that? Let gave a look. I was already focused on the topic which prolonged in me when I cross with two Abrid Shine movies but now on I'm not going for a comparison. I should say, what might be the reason for me to upgrade Poomaram from the early works of Abride. It might be the path of change in his direction style. Yes, I think Abrid walks upwards as a matured director in all perspectives when it comes to Poomaram. How he handles characters is always a great matter of amazement for the novice filmmakers because in his three movies there were a lot of fresh faces on the screen and all of them never recalls us they are fresh. That's the matter of director's credit to organize and simulate each and every character to memorable one. Aristo Suresh from AHB, Suraj Venjaramood from AHB (till AHB he was only recognized as a comedian), Kili and his Guitarist friend from Poomaram, and lot of references. Let's forbid all these things and we can come straight to the point, how Abrid got a new way of direction style and how he can manage Poomaram very well? The subject of Poomaran is really a massive one. I used the word 'Massive' because I can't find any other word or phrases to depict it in such a way. Masssive, the word is so powerful, I think. This word has the strength to collapse or destroy everything. Massive is straightly refers to destruction, alike War. The subject matter of Poomaram is War. That's why I referred above the situations happened in Syria. I pointed this because, that was the recent issue struck in everybody's mind when we heard about the word War. Poomaram, as we early said is a tree with flowers (like the word denotes), but in my view that I'm already pointed it is not mere a simple flower; it is the flower of reflection. Flower of reflection actually refers to the flower of Revolution. It is the striking of revolution, the revolution that resonant for a powerful outbreak. It disturbs us and emerge us to make sound and to make noise to stop everything. It sticks in our mind with a carving strike of disturbance unto the utmost when we witness the Massive outbreak of War. Yes, simply the film is about the director's disturbance of the lives and struggles of people who carries the burden of War. I also like the way how he shows his arrogance and how he reverberate his conscience. The climax is the shadow of reflection; that we early said and it reflects the lights in our hands which remembers the lights are not in our hands, it is in our heart. I am not going to blame anyone at the end of my writing, but I'm just scribbling my arrogance to everyone; to the Nation, the Government, the Bureaucrats and the people and finally to me also. We should step forward to stop the 'Massive' War and should stand for peace like the Man... Like the God has done. NB: AHB is Action Hero Biju
A realistically shot idealistic movie!
boldruler-7729716 September 2018
I liked the way this movie was shot and it was based on a theme which was not touched by many other directors/writers in the industry.
Standout performances was by Joju and by Neeta Pillai (though I didn't like Irene, personally).
Standout performances was by Joju and by Neeta Pillai (though I didn't like Irene, personally).
Arts treat
joram-8656623 October 2018
Starting to end, almost all the artforms of kerala and other craftsmanship portrayed beautifully without more out of core film. Film just visualise the cultural meet of university. Making such highly difficult task director handled so well. Dialogues, song lyrics all are poetic. Worth to watch
Boringly blowhard and charming!
PimpinAinttEasy17 March 2018
Indians love to talk seriously and boast about their college days. When you meet an Indian for the first time, he is prone to bore you to death with his college exploits . He would give you details about frolics that you have no interest in. I guess it makes up for the lack of sex during his youth. I am only joking.
Abrid Shine (famous for directing Action Hero Biju) has made a whole movie about his college days/ memories. Poomaram is centered around a college youth festival and the competition between Maharajas college (a mixed college) and St.Teresas (a girls only college) in Kochi. And though the film is boringly blowhard at times, it is not without charm!
I remember being clueless during my college days. My classmates were mostly scumbags (showing glimpses of what they would turn into as adults) and I do not remember any of them being idealistic. But the students in this film are portrayed as being principled and idealistic, which was a bit hard for me to digest. The best moments in the film are the lighthearted ones like the scenes in the police station and the students practicing for the college fest. The worst moments are the ones where these kids whine and pretend to be idealistic.
Newcomer Neeta Pillai and Kalidasan impress as the leaders of their respective colleges. Joju George steals the thunder in his brief appearance as a cop. The scenes with him reminded me of Abrid Shine's best film Action Hero Biju. I think some of the material that Abrid Shine omitted from Action Hero Biju might have made it into this film.
Some reviewers called Poomaram a documentary. They are not wrong. But I am surprised that Abrid Shine chose a documentary style treatment for this film. There are times when he cuts loose and make things entertaining. Those were the best moments in the film.
(5.5/10)
Abrid Shine (famous for directing Action Hero Biju) has made a whole movie about his college days/ memories. Poomaram is centered around a college youth festival and the competition between Maharajas college (a mixed college) and St.Teresas (a girls only college) in Kochi. And though the film is boringly blowhard at times, it is not without charm!
I remember being clueless during my college days. My classmates were mostly scumbags (showing glimpses of what they would turn into as adults) and I do not remember any of them being idealistic. But the students in this film are portrayed as being principled and idealistic, which was a bit hard for me to digest. The best moments in the film are the lighthearted ones like the scenes in the police station and the students practicing for the college fest. The worst moments are the ones where these kids whine and pretend to be idealistic.
Newcomer Neeta Pillai and Kalidasan impress as the leaders of their respective colleges. Joju George steals the thunder in his brief appearance as a cop. The scenes with him reminded me of Abrid Shine's best film Action Hero Biju. I think some of the material that Abrid Shine omitted from Action Hero Biju might have made it into this film.
Some reviewers called Poomaram a documentary. They are not wrong. But I am surprised that Abrid Shine chose a documentary style treatment for this film. There are times when he cuts loose and make things entertaining. Those were the best moments in the film.
(5.5/10)
Good Movie...Abrid's Magic
agnidath18 March 2018
No Words To Say....The Movie is Perfect...Ithrayum Divasam Kaathuninnathinte Kaaranam Ee Cinema Theerumbol Manassilaakum....Athrayum Perfect Aayaanu YUVAJANOLSAVAM eduthirikkunnath...This Movie is A Gem....I Loved It!!!
Waste of time and boring one
savieoseb14 September 2018
Another abrid shine magic
ssbkbinu14 September 2018
Kerala youth festival film
abhiramah4 June 2019
Film tries hardly to potray the enjoyment,love,passion,Energy of kerala youth festivals......But it can't match with the experience and efforts of the people involved in those. Though Shine tries to add colourful scenes to impress viewers it don't become success. All the songs are impressive and overall film is Good, that's it.
Not a documentary or feature film
bmpccu2 October 2018
Warning: Spoilers
This will happen when a wedding videographer try to make cinema, 152 minutes spoiled . The director really don't know the difference between feature film , documentary or a mockumentary , Highly influenced left liberal person's confused point of view to the society which he completely spoiled by making such a kind of video drama . save your time save your eye !
UNDERRATED MUSICAL CLASSIC!!
absalommj30 March 2021
This movie is much more than what many people saw in theatres. One the person who've went through the backlights of a youthfestival of a college will feel this movie. This is such an underrated musical classic. This movie reminds me of the old french and spanish classics. But it is a malayalam classic!
A better documentary!!!
mithunnsp21 September 2018
This should have been made as a documentary.
Yes the movie does carries you through a lot of memories down the lane but literally the movie ends with a very loose string.
Could have been served as a documentary instead of movie.!!
Worth the wait
raaakrish19 March 2018
Masterpiece from Abrid Shine
GoldenSand16 April 2019
Was it a documentary?
Azanspy18 September 2018
I still have a high doubt if this is a feature film or a documentary about MG youth festival. Poor direction is the main reason. Abrid Shine is just horrible with this on all the credits he has (Story, Screenplay, Dialogues, Direction). Kalidas Jayaram didn't have anything much to do. He was just walking here and there like all others throughout the movie. If you're a documentary lover, I suggest you to watch this below average documentary.
Such an underrated gem
faizalism29 November 2022
If you have ever been into a college and Kalolstavam u will feel so much things related to it..
wondering whether all these will be happening after some years or not..as people are becoming more intolerant towards cultural festivals and kalolsavams..!
Missing college days Youth should watch and encourage auch movies as well.. Sometimes you will feel like you are watching some kalolsavam..
If you have ever been into a college and Kalolstavam u will feel so much things related to it.. wondering whether all these will be happening after some years or not..as people are becoming more intolerant towards cultural festivals and kalolsavams..!
Missing college days Youth should watch and encourage auch movies as well.. Sometimes you will feel like you are watching some kalolsavam..
Missing college days Youth should watch and encourage auch movies as well.. Sometimes you will feel like you are watching some kalolsavam..
If you have ever been into a college and Kalolstavam u will feel so much things related to it.. wondering whether all these will be happening after some years or not..as people are becoming more intolerant towards cultural festivals and kalolsavams..!
Missing college days Youth should watch and encourage auch movies as well.. Sometimes you will feel like you are watching some kalolsavam..
A documentary on kalolsavam
sreekanthp-4806131 October 2018
Like I said a documentary on kalolsavam would have been better than this... very weak plot..feeling happy that I didn't saw it in theatre ..still a waste of time ...I feel sorry for the people who watched it ib theatre..one minute silence for those guys..don't waste your time seeing this mess of a movie
A film for the purists.
bibinchatterji2 March 2019
If you are looking for the usual melodrama, romantic, thriller, action easy to watch kind of movie read no more, you will not like this film. On the other hand, if you like an art of any kind or have you ever been part of any cultural event in school, college or even at work you are most probably going to like this movie. This film has an essence of purity in it, which makes you happy and content when you leave the theatre.
Disclaimer!
I may be biased since I believe Abrid, Dileesh, Shyamaprasad the finest of our generation and I find it hard to dislike their works.
One-line Review: Poomaram (4 Stars)
nairtejas20 September 2018
Abrid Shine's third feature film and casual nepotism-driver, Poomaram, is a long documentary-style montage of about 150 minutes full of at least a dozen songs that has both the power of putting you to sleep (with the unfunny, unneeded, and even uncinematic elements describing college life) and making you think and laugh (with a vibrant inter-college-level cultural fest as its backdrop), but where it goes wrong is that it happens in that order. TN.
No real story, just a nostalgia movie
dreako-8485425 March 2019
This movie is just a collection of performances of college students. It might as well be a live coverage of two colleges at an arts festival, which is pretty much what it is. If you're looking for a story, you won't find it here. If you're looking to reminisce your college days at competitions, you may enjoy it. As far as I'm concerned this is not a movie. It isn't Action Hero Biju. It's two colleges rehearsing and then the performance. Boring!
Worst movie
jacobthomasnid22 May 2019
I watch all kinds of movies which are entertainment oriented as well as classic movies.The movie is a type of which is not oriented on achieving a commercial value.
But its also not at all a classic type movie.
A very much lagging movie from start to end.
You wish to have the current scene to get over and see the next one.But I was having this feeling throughout the entire movie.
No commercial value No entertainment value
No value for money.
Even if it comes in the television, no ordinary person can watch it more than half an hour.
Starts good but doesn't hold up.
riddhimaakaritu11 September 2020
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