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Maad Dad
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Maad Dad
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Maad Dad
Directed byRevathy S Varmha
Written byRevathy S Varmha
Produced byP. N. Venugopal
StarringLal
Nazriya Nazim
Meghana Raj
Lalu Alex
CinematographyPradeep Nair
Edited byJohnkutty
Music byAlex Paul
Production
company
P N V Associates
Distributed byMKG Films
Release date
  • 11 January 2013 (2013-01-11)[1]
CountryIndia
LanguageMalayalam

Maad Dad is a 2013 Malayalam-language film, directed by Revathy S Varmha, starring Lal, Nazriya Nazim, Meghana Raj, and Lalu Alex. It marked Nazriya's debut film as a leading actress.[2][3]

Cast

[edit]

Production

[edit]

Mohanlal was to play the title role first,[4] but he was replaced by Lal.[2] Also Shweta Menon was first signed for a role but had to opt out due to pregnancy. She was replaced by Padmapriya.[2] Archana Kavi, who was to play an important role, has been replaced by Nazriya Nazim.[2]

Critical reception

[edit]

Malayala Manorama called it a good movie.[5] Other critics were negative about the film's qualities.[6][7]

References

[edit]
Revisions and contributorsEdit on WikipediaRead on Wikipedia

Maad Dad

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from Grokipedia
Maad Dad is a Malayalam-language psychological directed by Revathy S. Varma. The story centers on Palachottil Geevargees Kuriakose Esho, a father grappling with after the death of his wife, and his daughter , who works to restore his connection to reality through their close bond. Starring in the lead role as the father, with making her debut as the heroine Mariya, the film highlights themes of familial love and challenges. The supporting cast includes , , , and , portraying various family members and friends who influence the central relationship. Revathy S. Varma, known for her work in , wrote and directed the film, aiming to blend humor with emotional depth in depicting the father-daughter dynamic. Upon release, Maad Dad received mixed , praised for its heartfelt performances—particularly Nazriya's breakout role—but critiqued for uneven pacing and tonal inconsistencies. It holds an average rating of 7.1 out of 10 on based on over 1,100 user votes, reflecting appreciation for its sensitive portrayal of psychological themes.

Synopsis

Plot summary

Maad Dad follows Palachottil Geevargees Kuriyakose Easo, a devoted father who descends into mental instability after his wife's death in a car accident shortly after their daughter's birth. Suffering from , Easo lives in a delusional , imagining his Annamma is still alive and interacting with her memory daily, which allows him to cope with his grief while remaining deeply protective of his daughter . Mariya Mariyamma Palachottil, now 20 and returned from studies abroad, takes on the role of , striving to reintegrate her father into everyday life through gentle interactions, shared routines, and subtle challenges to his delusions. Balancing this responsibility with her own growth, Mariya navigates school and social commitments while developing a romantic relationship with Bonnie, a London-trained and her former classmate, whose introduction tests Easo's overprotectiveness. Easo's condition manifests in humorous yet poignant misunderstandings, such as mistaking strangers for his wife or reacting erratically to perceived threats against , leading to comedic mishaps like being drenched in during a visit. interventions escalate when Easo faces for his "mad" behavior during wedding preparations, triggering a severe breakdown that lands him in a psychiatric ward; a flashback reveals the accident's traumatic details and Easo's underlying guilt. Prioritizing her father's well-being, ends her engagement with to focus on his recovery, employing everyday support and professional help to gradually restore Easo's mental clarity. The narrative resolves with Easo confronting his reality, mending his emotional wounds through the unwavering bond with , and achieving a semblance of normalcy in their family life.

Themes

Maad Dad centers on the profound father-daughter bond between Easo and , portraying tested by the father's mental instability following his wife's . This relationship is depicted as delicate and multifaceted, with Easo's protective nature contrasting Mariya's growing role as a supporter, emphasizing emotional resilience in the face of adversity. The film explores and through Easo's psychological condition, characterized by delusions where he imagines interactions with his deceased wife as a mechanism for profound loss. This portrayal serves as a for processing bereavement without stigmatizing mental illness, highlighting depression and in a sensitive manner that underscores the human need for connection amid isolation. Sub-themes of personal growth and independence emerge through Mariya's maturation, as she navigates her own development while providing unwavering support to her , reversing traditional generational roles in dynamics. This narrative arc illustrates the daughter's evolution from dependency to , reflecting broader patterns in where familial obligations foster individual strength. In a cultural context, Maad Dad blends humor with to address subjects like parental and psychological fragility in Indian cinema, particularly within the Malayalam tradition of family dramas that rarely spotlight father-daughter ties. By amalgamating light-hearted moments with emotional depth, the film challenges societal norms around and loss, offering a nuanced view of in Kerala's conservative familial structures.

Cast and characters

Lead performers

Lal portrays Palachottil Geevargees Kuriyakose , a grieving who descends into following his wife's in an accident, creating an imaginary world to cope with his depression. His highlights a blend of in the character's quirky insistence on using his full name and adherence to outdated habits from his pre-widower life, such as his choice of attire and vintage car, alongside emotional depth in conveying guilt and redemption during flashbacks to his happier family days. Lal's depiction draws on his experience with similar eccentric roles, delivering an appreciable style that balances humor and without overly challenging his range. Nazriya Nazim makes her lead debut as Mariya, Eesho's caring teenage daughter who returns from studies abroad in to support him through his psychological struggles, navigating her own adolescent challenges like budding romance and independence under her father's protective shadow. Her youthful energy shines in brighter scenes, bringing an endearing vitality to the role of a determined young woman, while her chemistry with underscores the delicate father-daughter bond central to the story. Critics noted her commendable handling of emotional sequences, marking her as a promising talent despite occasional struggles with dialog delivery in heavier moments.

Supporting performers

Lalu Alex plays Soda Mathan, the eccentric father of Bonnie, a character who provides and support within the family circle through his peculiar habits, such as making decisions beside his old soda-making machine and cycling with soda bottles when stressed. His portrayal adds quirky depth to the ensemble, highlighting the film's blend of humor and familial bonds typical of cinema's reliance on seasoned character actors for authenticity. Sreejith Vijay portrays Bonnie, Mariya's love interest and a psychiatrist who studied in London, contributing to the emotional support and romantic subplot while helping navigate Eesho's recovery. Pooja Gandhi portrays Lisa, a bold, bike-riding woman whose role introduces shades of complexity to the interpersonal dynamics, influencing the central family's interactions without dominating the narrative. Janardanan appears as Mamachan, Eesho's relative who contributes to the humor through witty quips, infectious laughter, and muttered asides, thereby enhancing the supportive family environment and aiding in lighter moments amid the protagonist's emotional struggles. Salim Kumar enacts Giridhar, a neighborly figure whose performance delivers comic relief and cheer, helping to balance the ensemble by injecting levity into family gatherings and resolutions. Meghana Raj plays Anuradha (also known as Annamma), Eesho's late wife, appearing in flashbacks that provide emotional anchors for his backstory and aid in scenes of his gradual recovery from delusion. Her satisfying performance contributes to the heartfelt depiction of familial loss, emphasizing the tenderness of Eesho's pre-widower domestic life. Padmapriya portrays Dr. Rasiya, a psychiatrist who assists in Eesho's therapeutic process, delivering a fair effort in brief but supportive scenes that highlight the emotional labor of helping him confront reality. Her role adds layers to the recovery narrative through subtle contributions to key confrontational moments, though the character remains underutilized. These supporting performers collectively facilitate the film's humor and emotional resolution by intervening in Eesho's delusions through their grounded, relatable presences as relatives and friends, underscoring the communal support system central to the story's family dynamics.

Production

Development

Revathy S. Varma, a director with prior experience in films and feature films in languages including Tamil and Telugu, transitioned to with Maad Dad, marking her debut in the industry. Her vision for the film was shaped by an interest in exploring the father-daughter relationship, a theme she noted had rarely been depicted on screen. Drawing from her earlier work like the Tamil film June R (2006), which addressed unconventional family dynamics such as adopting a , Varma sought to analyze familial bonds through a lens of affection and emotional depth in Maad Dad. Varma penned the original screenplay herself, emphasizing a blend of humor and sentiment to create emotional realism while ensuring the narrative remained commercially viable as an entertainer. The script centers on the delicate interplay of family relationships, avoiding overemphasis on action or melodrama in favor of character-driven storytelling. To enhance the emotional tone, the screenplay incorporates seven songs designed to evoke deep sentiments. Pre-production faced several casting adjustments to align with the project's needs and actor availability. Initially, was slated for the lead role as the father, but he was replaced by to better suit the character's everyday, relatable persona. The role of the mother, originally intended for Shweta Menon, went to after Menon's prevented her participation. For the daughter, was initially cast but stepped aside for , who made her acting debut in the film. These changes helped maintain the focus on authentic portrayals of family interactions. The film was produced by P. N. Venugopal under the banner of P N V Associates, with a modest suited to its character-driven rather than high-production spectacles. This approach allowed Varma to prioritize narrative intimacy over lavish sets or effects, aligning with the story's emphasis on personal and familial connections.

Filming

for Maad Dad commenced in 2012 and was primarily conducted in locations such as and to authentically depict the film's domestic family environment. The shoot wrapped up later that year under the direction of Revathy S. Varma, focusing on capturing the intimate dynamics between the lead characters in everyday settings. Cinematography was led by Pradeep Nair, who delivered visually satisfying work with poetic elements and included steady helicam shots to enhance the emotional depth of family interactions. His approach contributed to the film's intimate tone, emphasizing the delicate father-daughter relationship through effective framing and minimalistic visuals. editing was handled by Johnkutty, who shaped the final cut to a runtime of 150 minutes, balancing the blend of humor and sentiment in the narrative. The editing process ensured a cohesive flow for the story's exploration of familial bonds and emotional challenges. Production faced logistical challenges, including biased treatment and encountered by director Revathy S. Varma from industry members, such as Lal, which impacted the on-set dynamics during . Additionally, portraying the sensitive theme of the protagonist's mental instability after his wife's death presented difficulties in maintaining realism and emotional authenticity on screen.

Release and reception

Distribution and release

Maad Dad was released theatrically across theaters in on 11 January 2013. The film, produced by P. N. V. Associates, received limited promotional attention consistent with its independent production, including trailers that spotlighted the core father-daughter dynamic. As a low-budget drama, it achieved modest returns without achieving widespread commercial success, though it maintained steady appeal among family-oriented audiences in regional markets. Following its theatrical run, the film became available on DVD starting 20 April 2013. By 2025, Maad Dad is accessible on select over-the-top (OTT) platforms, including Sun NXT and VI Movies & TV.

Critical response

Upon its release, Maad Dad received mixed reviews from critics, with praise centered on the lead performances and emotional core, tempered by criticisms of its execution and pacing. Reviewers highlighted the strong portrayals by Lal as the overprotective father Easow and Nazriya Nazim in her debut role as his daughter Maria, noting their chemistry brought heartfelt depth to the father-daughter relationship. The film's exploration of familial bonds and psychological elements was appreciated for its touching moments, particularly in scenes depicting grief and redemption. However, several critics pointed to significant flaws, including slow pacing that dragged the narrative, failed attempts at humor that veered into discomfort, and an uneven tone blending sentimentality with clichés. The Times of India described the intended comedy as resulting in "sheer torment," criticizing the repetitive dialogue and aimless structure as amateurish. Similarly, Nowrunning noted emotional false notes and excessive theatricality, with frequent songs hindering momentum, while Lensmen Reviews faulted the outdated direction and lack of actor chemistry for undermining the family entertainer's potential. Audience reception was more favorable, with an IMDb rating of 7.1/10 based on 103 votes as of November 2025, where viewers commended the film's visuals, music, and sincere depiction of psychological themes, though some found the script overly sentimental or unrealistic. It was seen as a niche entertainer appealing to those valuing emotional family stories, but not broadly accessible due to its introspective style. Overall, the consensus reflected mixed professional evaluations, emphasizing solid acting amid directorial shortcomings in Revathy S. Varma's debut, with no major awards garnered for the film.

References

  1. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2782022/
  2. https://www.thehindu.com/features/metroplus/radio-and-tv/little-miss-sunshine/article4298446.ece
  3. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/maad-dad/movie-review/18005764.cms
  4. https://www.rottentomatoes.com/m/maad_dad
  5. https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/south-malayalam-film-maad-dad-releases-today/20130111.htm
  6. https://www.thehindu.com/features/cinema/bringing-up-father/article3631084.ece
  7. https://www.news18.com/news/india/maad-dad-amalgamates-sentiments-with-humour-499567.html
  8. https://lensmenreviews.com/maad-dad/
  9. https://www.nowrunning.com/movie/10470/malayalam/maad-dad/4053/review.htm
  10. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2782022/fullcredits/
  11. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/im-not-doing-this-for-money-pooja-gandhi/articleshow/14388692.cms
  12. https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/2012/Jul/31/director-revathy-s-varma-on-mad-dad-392523.html
  13. https://www.imdb.com/name/nm2009315/
  14. https://www.rediff.com/movies/report/first-look-revathy-varmas-mad-dad/20120625.htm
  15. https://www.imdb.com/title/tt2782022/reviews/
  16. https://www.justwatch.com/in/movie/maad-dad
  17. https://www.zonkerala.com/magazine/maad-dad-a-different-421.html
  18. https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/director-revathy-varma-reveals-lal-treated-her-poorly-opens-up-about-discrimination-faced-in-malayalam-cinema/articleshow/113219794.cms
  19. https://www.filmibeat.com/malayalam/movies/maad-dad.html
  20. https://www.njmtv.com/maaddadmalayalamdvd_maad-dad-malayalam-dvd_lal-maghana-raj-padmapriya-9791.html
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