Rekhachitram Movie Review: A Cinematic Puzzle That Unfolds With Time

TL;DR: Rekhachitram Review

Rekhachitram is a hauntingly beautiful Malayalam mystery thriller that fuses nostalgia, cinema history, and psychological depth. With a gripping plot that unfolds across timelines and standout performances by Asif Ali and Anaswara Rajan, the film blurs the lines between memory and reality. It's a slow-burn, emotionally rich narrative that rewards patience with stunning visuals and thought-provoking layers. If you’re a fan of cinematic storytelling, this is a film worth sinking into.

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Some films are meant to create nostalgia, while others captivate you with their thrilling plot. Rekhachitram does both and then adds a twist of historical element to it. Initially, when the movie poster was released, it felt like the nun tragedy that shook Kerala in horror. Directed by Jofin T Chacko, this movie was his earlier release, Priest, which made me a little skeptical, and I decided to not watch it. Later when the OTT release was promised I decided to give it a chance and to my surprise, I was filled with nostalgia and a never-ending thrill. Instead of describing my curiosity anymore, let's dive deep into the world of Rekhachitram.

Plot that keeps you hooked till the end (spoilers ahead)

The movie starts with Vivek Gopinathan (Asif Ali) being caught in a gambling scam and is being transferred to Malakapara as a punishment. As soon as he takes charge as SHO, he lands his first case, Rajendran (Siddique), who seems to have committed suicide and has left a video where he confesses to a crime about 40 years ago. To get rid of his past, Vivek decides to take it into his own hands to uncover the crime, and shortly finds a skeleton with an anklet. Unable to confirm who the deceased is, it becomes difficult to proceed with the investigation.

In a mission to uncover more, his search leads him to a visit to Bharathan's and Mammootty’s Kathodu Kathoram (1985), a movie that was an instant hit at the box office. On enquiring more, he gets to know about a junior artist who went missing on the same set and was nowhere to be seen. On meeting Chandrappan (Indrans), who used to be a junior artist supplier, he finds that the missing girl from the sets of Kathodu Kathoram is none other than Rekha (Anaswara Rajan). To his surprise, he finds her in an old song from the same movie, where he finds her alive and with a grace that is not to be forgotten. Soon a portrait of Rekha is created and the search for what really happened starts to go down.

The movie does not follow a conventional plot but instead plays with time, taking the audience back to the sets of Kathodu Kathoram. One can see the hunger in the eyes of Rekha, who finds herself in the land of cinema when they move to Chennai along with her parents. Soon she becomes a die-hard fan of Mammootty and starts writing him letters by addressing him as Mammootty Chettan. A chance to prove herself and to become a heroine one day in his film, she arrives on the set of Kathodu Kathoram. Amid the shoot, she finds a friend in a nun, Stephy (Megha Thomas), who allows her to stay the night at church only to find the cash, gold, and Rekha missing the next morning. But the real mystery still remains of who Rekha is and what really went down that fateful night. Will Vivek uncover all of them and finally give justice to her or is it going to be another case unsolved?

Performances that stand out

Asif Ali delivers yet another career-best performance in Rekhachitram. Unlike his other uniform characters, Vivek is a character who effortlessly transitions between moments of curiosity, obsession, and emotional turmoil. His body language and expressions subtly capture the internal struggle of a man entangled in a reality that is soon slipping away. There are scenes where his silence speaks louder than words, proving once again why he is one of Malayalam cinema’s most dependable actors.

Anaswara Rajan as Rekha brings a refreshing presence to Rekhachitram, balancing the film’s darker, more intense themes with her natural charm and emotional depth. Her character is not just a supporting role but a vital thread in the narrative, adding both warmth and intrigue. Her performance is delicate yet deeply emotional, carrying the weight of a past that refuses to fade. Anaswara ensures that her role is not just a side note but an essential piece of the puzzle. Her portrayal is nuanced, adding an emotional undercurrent that lingers throughout the film. With Rekhachitram, she proves once again that she can bring depth and poignancy to any role, no matter how much screen time she has.

Indrans as Chandrappan, though not at the center of the story, carries a quiet intensity that lingers in the background, adding weight to the film’s mysterious tone. Though his screen time is less, his character plays a vital role in unveiling the truth. Other performances that need to be praised are the younger versions of Vincent and Alice played by Unni Lalu and Zarina Shihab. The character arc and the intriguing layers that they add to the story are worth commending. Both of them make sure that their screen presence lasts long. Manoj K Jayan and Saleema as the older versions of Vincent and Alice felt a little underused, though they do try to portray their characters with conviction. A little more depth to their characters would have made it much more interesting to watch.

Cinematography a visual treat that elevates the story

The cinematography in Rekhachitram is nothing short of breathtaking, transforming the film into a moving work of art. Every frame feels meticulously crafted, mirroring the film’s themes of art, memory, and perception. The way the camera captures the interplay of light and shadows adds to the film’s eerie, almost dreamlike quality, making the audience question what is real and what is imagined.

One of the most striking aspects of this film is the shifting color palettes. The contrast between past and present is depicted using warm tones for the past and cooler muted shades for the present to enhance the film’s emotional depth and tension. This visual contrast helps show that time in the film is not just moving in a straight line, instead, it feels layered and connected, with the past and present blending together.

The camera work is equally impressive, with slow, lingering shots that allow the audience to absorb the complexity of the setting. There are moments where the frame itself feels like a painting, drawing attention to details that may hold hidden meanings. The use of reflections like mirrors, water, and even glass adds another layer to the storytelling by actually blurring the lines between reality and perception.

Overall, Rekhachitram is a film that understands the power of visual storytelling. The cinematography doesn’t just enhance the narrative, it becomes an integral part of it, immersing the audience in a world where every shadow, every light, and even the carefully composed shot holds a secret waiting to be uncovered.

Final verdict

Rekhachitram is not just a film but an immersive experience. It captivates, unsettles, and stays with you long after the final frame. While its slow-burn narrative and layered storytelling may not appeal to everyone, those who enjoy cinema with psychological depth will find it truly engaging. A true love letter to cinephiles.

Should you watch it? If you love films that make you think, that leave behind lingering questions rather than easy answers, then absolutely. But if you prefer a thriller with a moving plot, Rekhachitram might feel like a challenging watch.

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