What happens when the leads of Premam (2015) and Premalu
(2024) come together for an unconventional romance? You expect fireworks. And
that’s exactly what Girish AD delivers in Bethlehem Kudumba Unit.
Nivin Pauly has long had a knack for making audiences root for his
characters, especially when he plays ordinary men dealing with the messiness of
everyday life. Girish AD puts that quality to good use, bringing him together
with Mamitha Baiju, who easily passes the test for your girl-next-door.
Bethlehem Kudumba Unit begins in Mundakayam, where Ashley
(Mamitha Baiju) lives with her family. When her parents decide to move to
Ernakulam because of their financial circumstances, Ashley is forced to leave
behind the life she knows. Her friends, music band and even the old books and
cassettes she has carefully collected over the years are part of what she has
to let go.
The move leaves Ashley understandably unhappy. But her new neighbourhood
soon gives her something to look forward to. It is one of those close-knit
communities where everyone knows everyone else, and every family has its own
eccentricities. Across from Ashley’s house are the lively Morelli sisters,
while next door live brothers Justin (Nivin Pauly) and Joel (Sangeeth Prathap).
Ashley first properly meets Justin when her laptop stops working. He is
an ‘eligible bachelor’ in his early 40s (or late 30s?) who seems to have a hand
in almost everything — from running a catering business and repairing laptops
to real estate and helping his brother with short films. At first, Ashley sees
him as an older, slightly serious man. That changes when they discover a shared
interest in music.
A conversation about old cassettes and alternative rock becomes the
beginning of something neither of them quite expects. Ashley develops feelings
for Justin, and their relationship slowly grows through awkward conversations
and everyday encounters.
This is where Bethlehem Kudumba Unit approaches a potentially
difficult subject without turning it into a scandal or a conventional
melodrama. The age difference between Ashley, a college student, and Justin is
impossible to overlook, but the film does not treat it as the only thing that
defines their relationship.
More importantly, Ashley is given agency. She is the one who develops
feelings first, initiates meetings and makes her own choices. Justin is not
portrayed as pursuing a younger woman or manipulating her into a relationship.
The screenplay is clearly conscious of the discomfort that such a pairing can
create and takes care to establish that the relationship is consensual and
emotionally reciprocal. Girish AD spends a lot of time trying to make the
relationship appear cute and uncomplicated.
Thankfully, the romance is only one part of what makes the film work.
The film’s real strength lies in creating believable characters and putting
them together in situations that feel spontaneous. Like Thanneer Mathan
Dinangal and Premalu, Bethlehem Kudumba Unit finds much of its
humour in the behaviour of ordinary people.
The neighbourhood becomes a character in itself. There are friends who
have known one another for years, families with their own little tensions and
habits, and people who can turn an otherwise insignificant incident into a
full-blown conversation. The dialogues are sharp without sounding overly
written, and the humour often comes from the way characters respond to one
another.
The supporting cast deserves considerable credit. Suresh Krishna as
Baiju Chettan, Shyam Mohan as Hari, Roshan Shanavas as Glikson, Vinay Forrt as
Alex, Sangeeth Prathap and Bindu Panicker all add colour to the film. Even
characters with relatively little screen time get moments that stay with the
audience.
That ensemble quality is perhaps what makes the film feel so
comfortable. Girish AD does not rush to get from one major plot point to
another. He allows his characters to hang around, talk, argue, joke and simply
exist. As a result, the audience gradually feels like part of the neighbourhood
rather than an outsider watching it from a distance.
The screenplay, written by Girish AD and Kiran Josey, is not
particularly interested in surprising the viewer. The romantic progression is
fairly easy to anticipate, as are the major conflicts and their eventual
resolutions. But the film’s appeal lies in the journey, rather than the
destination.
Music also plays an important role in creating that atmosphere. Vishnu
Vijay’s music fits naturally into the film’s world, adding to its nostalgic and
easygoing quality.
Nivin Pauly is particularly well suited to Justin. The actor brings his
trademark warmth and comic timing to the role, but there is enough
vulnerability underneath to prevent Justin from becoming just another charming
bachelor. He enjoys spending time with friends, loves his drinks and appears
perfectly content with his life, yet Nivin subtly hints at the loneliness
behind that carefree exterior.
Mamitha Baiju is equally good. Ashley is quite different from some of
her more familiar roles, and she brings an appealing freshness to her. She
captures Ashley’s initial sadness and reluctance to leave home, while also
making her gradual adjustment to the new neighbourhood feel convincing.
The chemistry between Nivin and Mamitha is central to the film’s warmth.
Their conversations are often awkward, understated and funny, which makes their
attraction feel less manufactured.