‘Sarvam Maya’ movie review: Nivin Pauly rediscovers his mojo, lifts a middling ghost story

One of the central characters in Sarvam Maya is a ghost. The ghost character could have been replaced by a human, as it is the kind of character we are used to seeing in the Anthikad cinematic universe. Even the purpose of the ghost follows a familiar playbook – to change the life of the protagonist for the better. It is a successful template that has undergone several variations, most recently in Akhil Sathyan’s debut film Pachuvum Athbhutha Vilakkum.

Although Sarvam Maya, his sophomore effort, is supposed to be a ghost story, the ghost in the story is perhaps one of the most friendly and helpful ones to ever appear on screen. It is almost like a ghost tailor-made for this kind of feel-good cinema. The one interesting aspect, though, is that the ghost is also as clueless as the humans running scared of her, and is still figuring out how to use her newfound powers.

Prabhendu (Nivin Pauly), who is struggling to make a career as a guitarist, decides to take a break and take the path of his family of priests who carry out special pujas at homes, just to make some money. Things are going well until his puja at one of the households leads to an encounter with a ghost, who is a constant presence around him. It helps that the ghost has a preachy streak and is adept at addressing any issue that a human can face, be it helping to land the right job or navigating relationships.

Initially, Sarvam Maya even has the appearance of a progressive film, gently lampooning the big money involved in rituals and the irrationality that lies behind it all, but then it morphs into a side project to turn an atheist into a believer, with the preachy ghost also pitching in with some advice to this effect.

Akhil has the support of a set of actors who are able to lift this thin, and sometimes shallow material, to heights it could not have touched without them. When Nivin Pauly is in his elements, in roles that he is comfortable in, the sheer ease with which he pulls off humour is something to behold. Lines that appear passable suddenly elicit laughter, with his trademark gestures and impeccable sense of timing.

Considering Nivin’s on-screen chemistry with Aju Varghese, it comes as no surprise that they hit it off in the initial sequences. But later, Riya Shibu, who made her acting debut last year in the forgettable film Cup, takes over from Aju, delivering a performance full of fresh energy. If the film remains engaging even in its weakest portions, credit has to go to Nivin and Riya.

Towards the end, Akhil brings in some emotional elements as if on cue, some of which works, while some of it feels rushed and forced, especially since he fails to build any major conflict in the narrative. Even considering the flaws, Sarvam Maya will be remembered for giving Nivin the space to rediscover his mojo after so long.

Sarvam Maya is currently running in theatres