Rating: ★★☆☆☆ (2/5)
⭐ Cast:
Urvashi (CGI Version) as Mariamma (The Ghost)
- Sharafudheen as Boney (Lead role)
- Jagadish as Uncle Kuriakose
- Johny Antony as Stephy’s father
- Aishwarya Lekshmi as Stephy (Boney’s wife)
- Sunny Hinduja as Paranormal Expert
🎬 Crew:
Director: Vaishakh Elans
Producer: Jomin Mathew, Aibin Thomas, Rahul E.S
Music: Jakes Bejoy, Aswin Ram
Cinematography: Praveen Kumar
Editor: Chaman Chakko
Runtime: 135 minutes
Language: Malayalam
Release Date: November 21, 2024
Budget: ₹18 crore
Box Office: ₹18 crore
OTT Platform: Amazon Prime Video
OTT Release Date: TBA
Introduction: A Horror-Comedy That Struggles to Find Its Soul 🤔
Malayalam cinema has recently ventured into horror-comedies, a genre that, when executed well, delivers both laughs and chills. Hello Mummy attempts this fusion, but does it succeed? Sadly, not quite.
Directed by Vaishakh Elans, the movie revolves around Boney (Sharafudheen), a man who unknowingly marries into a family haunted by his mother-in-law’s ghost. While the premise sounds promising, the film ultimately suffers from weak writing, inconsistent tone, and an overstretched runtime.
With actors like Aishwarya Lekshmi and veteran comedian Jagadish, expectations were high. However, Hello Mummy struggles to maintain balance between horror and humor, making it an underwhelming ride.
Plot: When Your Mother-in-Law Refuses to Leave (Even After Death!) 😅👻
The story follows Boney (Sharafudheen), a naive and fun-loving man who marries Stephy (Aishwarya Lekshmi). Everything seems perfect until he moves into her ancestral home and discovers that his deceased mother-in-law, Mariamma (played by a CGI ghost version of Urvashi), still ‘lives’ there!
From flickering lights to eerie sounds, the ghostly presence makes it clear: she’s not leaving anytime soon. However, instead of the usual horror tropes, the film attempts to add comedy through Boney’s interactions with the ghost. Does it work? Sometimes, but not consistently.
As Boney struggles to impress Stephy while coexisting with his ghostly mother-in-law, the movie takes us through a series of hilarious (and sometimes forced) supernatural encounters. The climax is predictable, with an emotional resolution, but it lacks the punch needed to leave a lasting impression.
Performance: Sharafudheen Shines, But the Script Betrays Him 🎭
| Actor | Role | Performance Rating (Out of 5 ⭐) |
|---|---|---|
| Sharafudheen | Boney | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Natural comic timing, but limited by weak writing |
| Aishwarya Lekshmi | Stephy | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – Does well, but script underutilizes her talent |
| Jagadish | Uncle Kuriakose | ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5) – Delivers genuine laughs |
| Sunny Hinduja | Paranormal Expert | ⭐⭐ (2/5) – Wasted potential, weak role |
| CGI Urvashi (Ghost) | Mariamma (Mummy) | ⭐⭐⭐ (3/5) – The ghost’s presence is more comedic than scary |
👉 Sharafudheen’s comedic timing saves several scenes, but his character is too one-dimensional.
👉 Aishwarya Lekshmi is charming but doesn’t get much to do beyond reacting to Boney’s antics.
👉 Jagadish is the film’s surprise package, bringing nostalgic humor.
👉 Sunny Hinduja’s character (a paranormal expert) is underdeveloped and adds little value
Direction & Screenplay: A Confused Execution 🎬
Vaishakh Elans, in his directorial debut, tries to balance horror and comedy, but the film never finds the right tone.
🎭 What Works?
✔️ Some funny one-liners land well
✔️ Sharafudheen and Jagadish keep the comedy afloat
👎 What Fails?
❌ The film struggles with pacing—some jokes drag too long
❌ The horror elements feel forced and predictable
❌ The screenplay lacks emotional depth, making it hard to connect with characters
Cinematography & Editing: Visually Appealing, But Dragging 🎥
✅ Cinematography by Praveen Kumar does justice to the eerie ambiance, using shadow play and lighting to create a spooky atmosphere.
❌ However, editing by Chaman Chakko could have been sharper—the film overstays its welcome by at least 20 minutes.
Music: Forgettable Score With a Few Catchy Beats 🎵
🎶 Music by Jakes Bejoy & Aswin Ram is a mixed bag. The background score tries too hard to emphasize horror, often making scenes unintentionally funny.
✔️ The comedic theme music for Boney is catchy
❌ The film lacks a memorable horror track
Strengths & Weaknesses 📊
| Pros ✅ | Cons ❌ |
|---|---|
| Sharafudheen’s performance 💪 | Weak screenplay 📖 |
| Some genuinely funny moments 😂 | Unnecessary subplots 🤦 |
| Good cinematography 🎥 | Inconsistent tone (neither scary nor hilarious) 😕 |
| Jagadish’s comedy timing 🎭 | Overstretched runtime ⏳ |
Box Office & Audience Response: Lukewarm Reception 🍿
💰 Budget: ₹18 crore
🎟️ Opening Weekend Collection: ₹22 crore (moderate success)
📢 Audience Reaction:
- 🤣 Comedy lovers found some scenes hilarious
- 👻 Horror fans were disappointed—not scary enough!
- 💤 Some found it slow—felt dragged beyond necessity
👥 Online Reviews:
📌 IMDb Rating: 5.8/10
📌 Google Audience Rating: 3.2/5
Read more: Demon Slayer: Infinity Castle – A Cinematic Masterpiece That Redefines Anime
Final Verdict: Watch It Only If You Have Time to Kill 🕰️
Hello Mummy had the potential to be a great horror-comedy, but weak execution and inconsistent tone hold it back. While it offers a few genuine laughs, it fails to create an engaging horror experience.
Should You Watch It?
🎬 Yes, if…
✅ You enjoy Sharafudheen’s comedic timing
✅ You like light horror-comedies (with minimal scares)
🚫 Skip it if…
❌ You expect a well-balanced horror-comedy
❌ You prefer strong storytelling over gimmicks
Final Rating: ⭐⭐ (2/5) – A One-Time Watch for Horror-Comedy Fans
👉 Hello Mummy is a hit-or-miss affair—while it has moments of fun, it fails to fully entertain. Watch it only if you have nothing else lined up!
🔥 Did you watch Hello Mummy? Share your thoughts! 🎬
