Sumathi Valavu Review: A ghost tale wrapped in ’90s nostalgia

Sumathi Valavu blends ghost lore with family drama in a 1990s Kerala village. Though uneven in execution, it offers a few scares, laughs, and nostalgia. Now streaming on ZEE5.

Hyderabad: Sumathi Valavu, directed by Vishnu Sasi Shankar, is set in a small village Kerala near the forest in the 1990s. The story revolves around a road bend believed to be haunted by the ghost of Sumathi, a woman killed by the villagers long ago. Locals fear the spot, and anyone who tries to cross it at night is said to face danger. Appu (Arjun Ashokan), once caught up in this legend, finds himself in more trouble when he falls in love with Bhama (Malavika Manoj), the cousin of his rival Mahesh (Gokul Suresh).

The film begins with a strong flashback that sets up the myth well. But as the story moves forward, the plot often slips into romance and family drama, pulling focus away from the ghost story. Some spooky scenes work, especially before the interval, but the second half struggles to hold the same tension.

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Arjun Ashokan plays Appu with a mix of fear and charm, while Malavika Manoj brings ease to her role. Gokul Suresh stands out with a steady performance, and Balu Varghese adds some laughs. Shravan Mukesh appears as the villain but doesn’t leave a big impact. Other familiar faces like Sidharth Bharathan, Saiju Kurup, and Sshivada appear in smaller roles.

On the technical side, the film has its strengths. Ranjin Raj’s music works in parts, even if the songs are not very memorable. The art direction by Ajay Mangad successfully captures the 1990s setting, which adds to the film’s atmosphere.

In the end, Sumathi Valavu is a light watch that mixes ghost lore with family rivalry and comedy. It may not be very scary or very funny, but it has a few good moments and a nostalgic feel. The film is now streaming on ZEE5 in Malayalam, Telugu, Kannada, Tamil, and Hindi.