From ‘Drishyam’ to ‘Kabali’, the dark comedy sequel starring Saiju Kurup and Suraj Venjaramoodu is being hailed for its seamless and witty cinematic references.
KOCHI: Malayalam cinema’s latest dark comedy hit, Bharathanatyam 2: Mohiniyattam, is currently the talk of the town, not just for its gripping plot, but for its masterful use of “Easter eggs.” Since its global premiere on Netflix on May 8, social media has been flooded with fan theories and appreciation posts dissecting the clever film references woven into the narrative by director Krishnadas Murali.
Following its successful theatrical run as a Vishu release, the film—a sequel to the 2024 hit Bharathanatyam—is now finding a second, even larger life online. Audiences are particularly impressed by how the makers have used iconic scenes and dialogues from Malayalam, Tamil, and even Hollywood cinema to elevate the film’s humor.
The ‘Drishyam’ Connection and Tamil Tributes
One of the most discussed segments is the temple scene, which pays a hilarious homage to Jeethu Joseph’s Drishyam. As characters Baby and Raghu keep a suspicious eye on Shashi, the tension mirrors the legendary cat-and-mouse game between Georgekutty and the police. In a further nod, the character Eepan even fakes an epileptic fit during an interrogation—a playful jab at the suspense thriller genre.
Tamil cinema fans were treated to a surprise encounter between two characters named Subash at a bus stop, mirroring the hero-villain face-off in Suriya’s 7aum Arivu. The use of Rajinikanth’s iconic “Magizhchi” from Kabali by the character Ashokan also drew massive cheers from the digital audience.
Hidden Gems: From ‘Vesham’ to ‘Joker’
The film doesn’t stop at mainstream blockbusters. It dives into deep-cut references that only true cinephiles would catch:
- Jagadish’s Callback: Fans loved hearing Jagadish repeat Mammootty’s famous “Thanoor Chakka Thinnan Poyappo” line from Vesham.
- The ‘Hridayam’ Mirror: A scene involving Subash searching for his uncle in a room full of chairs cleverly recreates the visual language of the classroom scene from Hridayam.
- Visual Flair: A striking shot of Saraswati Amma brushing her teeth with charcoal while planning a grim task has been compared to the dark aesthetic of Joaquin Phoenix’s Joker.
A Commercial and Critical Triumph
Produced by Thomas Thiruvalla Films and Saiju Kurup Entertainments, Mohiniyattam has emerged as one of the highest-grossing Malayalam films of 2026. The sequel follows Sasidharan Nair (Saiju Kurup) and his chaotic family as they travel to Sreekandapuram to settle affairs related to his late father’s second family.
The film’s success on OTT platforms like Netflix highlights a growing trend in Malayalam cinema where “meta-humor”—humor that references its own medium—is becoming a favorite among the “Gen Z” and millennial audiences. By blending traditional family drama with sharp, satirical nods to pop culture, Mohiniyattam has set a new benchmark for dark comedies in the region.
