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Mollywood Times begins on a promising note and does enough in its first half to make viewers believe they are in for an entertaining ride. The film establishes its characters well, keeps the narrative moving and manages to generate genuine curiosity about where the story is headed. Unfortunately, after a solid start, the film struggles to maintain momentum and gradually loses its grip in the second half.
The first half is undoubtedly the strongest part of the film. The writing feels sharp, the situations are engaging and there is a sense that the story is building towards something memorable. As the plot progresses, expectations naturally rise. However, the second half fails to capitalize on the foundation laid earlier. What initially appears to be a compelling narrative eventually settles for a fairly ordinary payoff. Watch our video review
The biggest disappointment is the lack of a strong payoff to the intriguing setup. The film introduces several interesting ideas but doesn’t fully explore them. As a result, the emotional impact and dramatic tension never reach the levels one expects after such a promising beginning.
The climax, too, feels average. Instead of delivering a memorable finish that ties everything together, it leaves viewers with a sense of missed opportunity. It isn’t bad by any means, but it certainly doesn’t provide the satisfying conclusion the film seems to be building towards.
Performance-wise, the film is on much stronger ground. Naslen once again proves why he is one of the most exciting young actors in Malayalam cinema today. He brings charm, naturalness and sincerity to his role, making even routine scenes enjoyable to watch. The supporting cast also performs admirably, contributing significantly to the film’s appeal.
That said, viewers familiar with Naslen’s recent filmography may find Mollywood Times somewhat underwhelming. Compared to the actor’s previous outings, which combined strong storytelling with high entertainment value, this film feels noticeably lighter on both excitement and impact. While Naslen remains dependable, the material surrounding him isn’t quite as strong as some of his earlier films.
The technical aspects are competent, the performances are good and the film remains watchable throughout. However, a stronger second half and a more rewarding climax could have elevated it into something far more memorable.
Bollywoodwallah Verdict: Mollywood Times starts strongly and keeps viewers invested through an engaging first half, but the film loses steam after the interval and concludes on an average note. Good performances, especially from Naslen, ensure that it remains an above-average watch despite its shortcomings.
Rating: 2.5/5 Stars
