LOL! “Comedy is subjective, Murry!” – once said a ‘Joker’. Laughing out loud has become a rare experience in the modern age of Indian cinema, as the genre has become riskier over time. The subjective nature of this genre makes it challenging – experimental attempts often go unnoticed, and only a handful of films actually make it through to the audience’s attention span – except for the famous comedy franchises that run houseful for at least one weekend.
‘Su From So’ is one of those comedy films that deserves to make it through to the audience and get a ‘houseful’ reception. Written and directed by JP Thuminad, this comedy film presents a story set in Madyar village, in Someshwara, a coastal region of Karnataka. What about this Kannada film makes it a must-watch for lovers of comedy? Let’s find out!
Ravi anna (Shaneel Gautham) is the go-to guy of the village, someone who everybody looks up to. Surrounding him are our friendly neighbourhood Satish anna (Deepak Panaje), Chandranna (Prakash K Thuminadu), and several others. Among these characters is a younger chap from the village, Ashoka (JP Thuminad), who is hilariously taken over by the soul of Sulochana from Someshwara – or at least that’s what the villagers believe.
What follows is a whirlwind of chaos, drama, surprises, emotions, and loads and loads of laughter. Who is Sulochana? Why did someone from Someshwara possesses a young boy from the neighbouring village? How will the innocent villagers handle this haunting situation? What will Ravi anna and gang do to save Ashoka? The answers to these questions – and a truckload of laughter – make up the plot of the film.
In the trailer of ‘Su From So’, the makers serve up the coastal region’s mouth-watering delicacies-and the film opens on the same flavourful note. But the most satisfying dish of all is the film itself. Writer-director JP Thuminad cooks up a story that hits the right spot and lingers around the funny bone for a while. Brimming with hearty comedy, sprinkled with social commentary and a pinch of emotion, the film ends on a warm, sweet note-just like a perfectly plated dessert.
While the screenplay serves entertainment to the T, there are moments in the second act of the film where a back-of-the-mind thought-whether this scene adds value to the overall story-did pop up. While the laughter kept rolling, whether it really needed so many scenes to set up becomes a question that gets lost amidst the laughs.
From a story that is seemingly a supernatural comedy, ‘Su From So’, as an end product, becomes a superb natural comedy because of its grounded performances. Kannada films from the coastal region have maintained this style of rooted storytelling-with Rishab Shetty’s ‘Kantara’, Rakshit Shetty’s ‘Ulidavaru Kandanthe’, and Raj B Shetty’s ‘Garuda Gamana Vrishabha Vahana’ serving as famous examples.
This style carries on in this tale as well, as the cast-irrespective of the exaggerated form of the story-deliver performances that feel relatable. Shaneel Gautham, who plays Ravi anna, becomes an endearing figure to the audience by the end of the film, as the actor who lives the character lives up to the hype raised by his men.
JP Thuminad, Deepak Panaje, Prakash K Thuminadu, Mime Ramdas, and a certain someone with a surprise appearance deliver comic brilliance, as their on-screen chemistry is nothing short of nitrous oxide (laughing gas). However, the standout performance is by Sandhya Arekere, who plays Bhanu. With the character, comes a depth to the story and a certain gravitas to the film, and with the actor, come the emotions that move the audience beyond just laughs.
The technical departments, too, have played their part in shaping the film’s identity-quietly yet impactfully. S Chandrasekaran’s cinematography is simple but striking, capturing the coastal flavour with frames that surprise you with moments of cinematic thrill. Sumedh K’s music and Sandeep Thulasidas’ background score build a strong sonic foundation from the very beginning, blending seamlessly with the narrative and elevating the experience scene after scene.
The film also touches upon themes that often go unnoticed-what women endure in villages, and how those experiences are either normalised or brushed aside. These threads are sown quietly in the first act and gradually take shape, adding weight to the narrative without disrupting its tone. What stands out is how the film opens up space for conversation, holding up a mirror to society-not in a loud, preachy way, but with subtlety and softness, letting the message settle in naturally.
Raj B Shetty once again associates his name with quality content for consumption. The ‘Toby’ actor has consistently delivered content that is not just entertaining, but also path-breaking. Starting from his first directorial ‘Ondu Motteya Kathe’, to his recent collaborative presentations, ‘Ekam’ and ‘Roopantara’, whether his role is on-screen or behind it, the man delivers.
‘Su From So’ is more than just a comedy-it’s a heartfelt celebration of coastal life, community spirit, and stories that carry laughter with meaning. With grounded performances, a strong technical backbone, and writing that knows when to joke and when to pause, JP Thuminad’s film stands out as a refreshing watch that is highly recommended.
‘Su From So’ releases in theatres in Kannada on July 25. The film will be released in Malayalam across Kerala by Dulquer Salmaan’s Wayfarer Films on August 1.
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