| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Meesha |
| Release Date | 31 July 2025 |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Survival Drama / Thriller |
| Director & Writer | Emcy Joseph |
| Cast | Kathir, Shine Tom Chacko, Hakim Shahjahan, Sudhi Koppa, others |
| Music | Sooraj S. Kurup |
| Cinematography | Suresh Rajan |
| Runtime | ~150 minutes |
Storyline
Meesha tells the story of a group of men whose forest expedition turns into a nightmare of survival, betrayal, and moral reckoning.
The film opens with Midhun (Kathir), a determined and somewhat reserved young man, joining a group of friends and acquaintances for a trip into the wilderness. Among them are Kitho (Shine Tom Chacko), Anandhu (Hakim Shahjahan), and Imodh (Sudhi Koppa). What begins as a seemingly ordinary outing soon reveals deeper cracks within the group: rivalries, secrets, and hidden resentments simmer beneath the surface.
As they travel deeper into the forest, unexpected events push them into life-or-death situations. The wilderness itself becomes hostile — harsh weather, wild animals, and the unforgiving terrain amplify the pressure. But even more dangerous than nature are the choices the men make when confronted with fear and desperation.
Betrayals emerge, power struggles flare, and survival instincts expose the darker side of human behavior. Alliances are tested, loyalty breaks down, and the line between friend and enemy blurs. The story gradually shifts from being about escaping the forest to confronting the truths that lie within each character — their guilt, pride, and fear.
By the end, the narrative leaves the audience questioning whether survival in the wild is about defeating nature or confronting the demons we carry within ourselves.
Performances
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Kathir (Midhun): Making his Malayalam debut, Kathir delivers a committed performance. His arc — from being a calm observer to someone forced into morally difficult decisions — is convincingly portrayed. He embodies both vulnerability and resilience.
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Shine Tom Chacko (Kitho): A highlight of the film. He plays the most layered character, a man driven by ego, impulsiveness, and hidden insecurities. His intensity adds electricity to many scenes.
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Hakim Shahjahan (Anandhu): Effective in portraying the group’s emotional weak link. His character represents fear and indecision, which balances the stronger personalities.
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Sudhi Koppa (Imodh): Adds humor in the early portions, later evolving into a more serious tone. His transition is subtle but effective.
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Supporting Cast: While not all characters are fleshed out, the ensemble contributes enough energy to sustain the film’s tense atmosphere.
Technical Aspects
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Direction: Emcy Joseph tries to balance survival-thriller tension with social commentary. His vision is ambitious, though not always fully realized. The direction is strongest in the first half, where suspense builds naturally.
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Cinematography: Suresh Rajan’s camera is one of the film’s greatest strengths. The forest is captured with richness — its shadows, mists, and textures feel oppressive yet beautiful. Night scenes are especially evocative.
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Editing: At nearly 150 minutes, the film feels overlong. Tighter editing could have amplified tension. Some sequences drag and dilute the suspense.
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Music/Score: Sooraj S. Kurup’s score works well in atmospheric scenes. The background music heightens unease during survival sequences, though it occasionally overwhelms quieter emotional beats.
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Production Design: The wilderness is convincing as a character itself. Props, costumes, and setting all support the survival realism.
Strengths
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Atmosphere – The forest setting feels alive and threatening, reinforcing the mood.
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Performances – Strong acting, especially from Shine Tom Chacko and Kathir, anchors the film.
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Themes – Explores not just physical survival, but also betrayal, guilt, and toxic masculinity.
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Suspenseful First Half – Builds intrigue and keeps audiences guessing about where the story is headed.
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Cinematography – Visually rich and immersive, capturing the beauty and menace of nature.
Weaknesses
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Length & Pacing – The film overstays its welcome, particularly in the second half where tension dips.
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Inconsistent Screenplay – The script tries to juggle survival tension with socio-political themes but often loses focus.
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Underdeveloped Themes – Issues like caste and class conflict are hinted at but not deeply explored.
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Predictable Twists – Some betrayals and confrontations are telegraphed, reducing their shock value.
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Character Imbalance – Secondary characters are underwritten, leaving the focus too narrow on a few while others feel wasted.
Overall Impression
Meesha is an ambitious survival drama that aims high. It wants to be both a gripping thriller and a thoughtful social commentary. At times, it succeeds: the visuals, performances, and raw tension create moments of genuine impact. The first half in particular is tightly woven, combining suspense with character exploration.
However, the film struggles to maintain that intensity across its 150-minute runtime. The second half slows down, the screenplay meanders, and the socio-political commentary feels half-baked. What could have been a razor-sharp survival thriller occasionally slips into melodrama and repetition.
That said, Meesha is still a worthwhile watch for those who appreciate Malayalam cinema’s willingness to experiment with genres. It has enough tension, atmosphere, and performance strength to make it engaging, even if it doesn’t quite deliver the knockout punch it aims for.
Final Verdict
Meesha is a bold attempt at survival cinema in Malayalam. It succeeds in atmosphere and performances but falters in execution. Ambitious yet uneven, it’s a film that intrigues more than it fully satisfies.
Rating: 3 / 5