Sarvam Maya (2025) [Movie Review] — Nivin Pauly Finds Gentle Magic in a Small-Town Ghost Story

Akhil Sathyan’s Sarvam Maya isn’t trying to revolutionize genre cinema; it wants to soothe. Positioned somewhere between supernatural whimsy and village drama, the film leans into a comforting, Anthikad-lite sensibility — slow, affectionate, and full of everyday humanity. For viewers who miss the warm, character-first Malayalam films that celebrate simple pleasures, this one arrives as a welcome, quietly effective watch.

Premise — when a musician-turned-priest meets an unconventional ghost

The story follows Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly), a would-be musician born into a family of priests, whose predictable life is disrupted when an offbeat spirit starts shadowing him. The collision of the sacred and the silly forms the film’s core: the supernatural never becomes threatening; instead, it opens avenues for laughter, introspection, and small emotional truths. The narrative is straightforward and deliberately unhurried — a choice that pays off most of the time.

Performances — Nivin and Riya make an irresistible duo

Nivin Pauly is comfortably in his element. He balances the protagonist’s earnestness with natural comic timing, creating a character who’s easy to root for. Riya Shibu, as the ghost, is a revelation — equal parts mischievous and charming, she breathes life into the film’s most fantastical moments. Aju Varghese provides dependable comic ballast as Prabhendu’s cousin, while Preity Mukundan and Priya Prakash Varrier add warmth to the supporting ensemble. Small but poignant turns from veterans like Janardhanan and Madhu Warrier deepen the film’s emotional palette.

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Tone & direction — gentle humor and emotional intimacy

Akhil Sathyan directs with restraint, favoring moments over mechanics. The film’s humour is organic rather than engineered, and the way it treats the supernatural — with tenderness rather than spectacle — recalls softer spiritual comedies of the past. The pacing occasionally lingers, especially in the second half, but that languor is also part of the film’s charm: it lets scenes breathe, and characters evolve in tiny, believable increments.

Music & technicals — competent, mood-appropriate score

Justin Prabhakar’s score and background treatments are unobtrusive and serviceable; they never dominate but neatly undergird the mood. Cinematography and production design capture village life with an affectionate eye — paddy fields, temple ponds, and tharavadu corners are rendered with a homely beauty. The film doesn’t aim for grand visuals; its strength lies in modest, well-composed frames that support the narrative tone.

Where the film could have tightened up — pacing and predictability

Sarvam Maya is not without flaws. The second half runs into familiar beats and could have benefited from a tighter edit to maintain momentum. A few cameos and peripheral characters, while charming, clutter the narrative flow. The film’s conflict resolves in predictable ways, which may disappoint viewers seeking a more subversive or thought-provoking supernatural story.

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Final verdict — a warm, feel-good film that rewards patience

Ultimately, Sarvam Maya works because it knows what it is: a comforting, human-scale supernatural comedy anchored by two charismatic leads. It won’t shatter expectations or remake the genre, but it does what it sets out to do with sincerity and a light touch. Fans of Nivin Pauly and audiences who enjoy slow-burning, emotive Malayalam cinema will find much to like here — settle in and let the film’s gentle rhythm do the rest.

Rating: 7.5 / 10