Hridayapoorvam Review (2025): A Comforting Yet Challenging Tale of Human Bonds

Genre – Drama, Romance, Comedy
Director – Sathyan Anthikad
Writers – Akhil Sathyan (Story) – Sonu T. P. (Screenplay)
Cast – Mohanlal, Malavika Mohanan, Sangita Madhavan Nair, and Sangeeth Prathap, Siddique, Lalu Alex, Janardhanan, Baburaj, Nishan, and Sabitha Anand
Runtime – 151 Minutes
My Rating – ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐½☆☆

Where To Watch/Stream Hridayapoorvam

Hridayapoorvam reminded me that hearts still find a way to beat for love and connection.

Hridayapoorvam makes you feel things, and we all need that now and again.

Plot Summary of Hridayapoorvam (Spoiler-Free)

Hridayapoorvam follows Sandeep Balakrishnan, a man whose life takes a sharp turn after he receives a heart transplant from Colonel Ravindranath.

The film chronicles Sandeep’s journey to Pune to attend the engagement of his donor’s daughter, Haritha, and what could have been a simple story of gratitude unfolds into a deeper exploration of human emotions, relationships, and the ways people influence each other.

It’s a story about love, loss, and the unexpected paths that open up when you least expect them.

Hridayapoorvam Review: Is It Worth Watching?

There’s something very rare about a film that makes you feel comfortable and challenged at the same time, but Hridayapoorvam manages it.

Mohanlal is the star here, and he carries the film with such effortless charm, and conveys a mix of skepticism, curiosity, and quiet amusement throughout, even if there are moments when he overpowers the scene.

The pacing was also a pleasant surprise with how it balances the humor and emotion, as Sathyan Anthikad’s story unfolds slowly, almost lazily, but never in a boring way, as there’s a rhythm to it that lets you settle in with the characters.

I found myself laughing out loud at some of Sandeep’s interactions, while at the same time feeling a pang of emotion in his more private, reflective moments, and those reflection scenes hit differently when you know Mohanlal is thinking silently.

Haritha, played by Malavika Mohanan, is also a revelation here, and she’s warm, grounded, and funny, and her chemistry with Mohanlal feels natural, like two people genuinely just learning about each other, while Devika, her mother, played by Sangita Madhavan Nair, brings a no-nonsense yet caring presence that rounds out the family dynamics beautifully.

The three women connected to Ravindranath’s life all offer different perspectives, and the film wisely doesn’t waste time putting the father’s face on-screen, but you feel his presence through their stories and emotions, which is far more effective.

Hridayapoorvam is a film that also looks great, and Anu Moothedath’s shots of Pune are both lively and intimate, where you feel the city breathing around the characters without ever feeling too intrusive, and Justin Prabhakaran’s music complements these visuals perfectly.

Humor is also sprinkled thoughtfully throughout, and some scenes with Sangeeth Prathap are particularly fun, although some interactions feel like they are cut short, and Baburaj, despite having a minor role, leaves a memorable impression.

It’s a film that asks quiet questions about life and connections, such as, How do we form bonds? How do we allow ourselves to be loved? And how does someone else’s legacy change your life? These are all handled well too without any preaching towards the audience.

A couple of minor flaws were that some side characters feel like they were inserted just to tick boxes, and we have moments when the film indulges in traditional melodrama that feels a touch dated, but it’s nothing major.

Hridayapoorvam is simply a celebration of simple human interactions, and it reminds you to notice people, to be present, and to value the ordinary moments that carry extraordinary significance.

It’s a film that makes you laugh, tear up, and occasionally squirm in recognition of your own messy, emotional life, and for anyone looking for a family drama that doesn’t insult your intelligence, this film delivers, albeit with a few minor indulgences.

What I liked (And What I Didn’t like)

Pros

Mohanlal

His expressions and timing help make every scene feel oh so effortless.

Malavika Mohanan

Her performance is brilliant, and her chemistry with Mohanlal really helps the film shine.

Family Dynamics

Everything just felt very genuine and layered.

Anu Moothedath’s Visuals

Visually, the film is beautiful.

Justin Prabhakaran’s Music

The score helps enchance the emotion of it all, and it worked perfectly alongide the visuals.

Thoughtful Pacing

The story takes its time, as it lets the relationships and transformations feel earned.

Cons

Some side characters felt unnecessary (Siddique, Lalu Alex)

They don’t contribute much to the story and occasionally disrupt the flow.

Some Jokes

A few of the jokes don’t really land fully and felt slightly out of place.

Occasional Melodrama

Some of the emotional peaks were quite forced and predictable.

Mohanlal Centric Moments

While enjoyable, they sometimes divert the attention away from the main story.

Predictable Plot Points

Certain story developments will be guessed ahead of time by many.

Who might like Hridayapoorvam

  • Fans of Mohanlal and Sathyan Anthikad
  • People who enjoy heartfelt family dramas
  • Viewers who appreciate subtle humor and warmth
  • Anyone interested in character-driven stories
  • Those looking for films that explore relationships and emotional growth

Who might dislike Hridayapoorvam

  • Anyone who dislikes melodrama, even mild
  • People who dislike slow pacing
  • Anyone not a fan of family-centric narratives
  • People who don’t enjoy films that linger on emotional subtleties

Final Verdict: Did I Enjoy Watching Hridayapoorvam?

Hridayapoorvam is one of those films that doesn’t shout its message but sneaks it into your heart slowly and quietly.

The film has this rhythm that lets you settle into its world comfortably with a lot of warmth and honesty.

It’s a gentle reminder that life isn’t always about grand gestures, sometimes it’s about noticing the small things that make a life full.

7.5/10

Hridayapoorvam Trailer

YouTube player

Simon Leasher

A lover of cinema for over 35 years, I have watched many films from around the world in many different genres, yet I still normally always come back to trashy slasher horror films when in doubt. More

And yes, The Godfather 2 is better than The Godfather.


Discover more from Simon Leasher Film Reviews

Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.

Be First to Comment

    Leave a Reply

    Your email address will not be published. Required fields are marked *