Despite the anticipation surrounding its release, particularly as it marked the second directorial effort of Althaf Salim—who gained fame with the successful film Njandukalude Nattil Oridavela, which continues to be popular among Malayalees—Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira failed to perform at the box office.
Fans were eager to see Fahadh Faasil in a comedic role, his first since the 2024 film Aavesham directed by Jithu Madhavan, but his performance did not meet expectations, resulting in lukewarm feedback.
After its debut on streaming platforms, Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira found a specific audience that appreciated its unique take on mental health, particularly the theme of depression. Nevertheless, the film received mixed reviews, making it one of the most polarizing Malayalam movies in recent times, attracting both a loyal fanbase and critics alike.
In a recent discussion, Fahadh Faasil reflected on the film’s disappointing box office results—his first setback since the major success of Aavesham, which remains his most significant solo achievement. He shared insights into what he believed contributed to the film’s shortcomings. “I think the issue stemmed from the film’s structure,” he explained during a chat with Galatta Plus.
He elaborated, “Our intention was to convey one person’s narrative through another’s lens. We explored Aby Mathew’s (the character portrayed by Fahadh) struggles with depression but aimed to unfold this through the experiences of another character, Revathi, who was also dealing with her own mental health challenges.”
Fahadh noted, “The structuring we attempted didn’t resonate well with audiences. Perhaps the film should have commenced with their story and then transitioned to mine. The resolution was embedded in the narrative, but we recognized that too late,” he remarked.
Despite the film’s challenges, Fahadh emphasized his enjoyment in creating Odum Kuthira Chadum Kuthira. “I truly loved the process of making that film and filming with Althaf,” he added.
The movie also features performances by Kalyani Priyadarshan, Lal, Dhyan Sreenivasan, and Vinay Forrt in significant roles and managed to earn only Rs 2.50 crore globally, according to industry tracker Sacnilk, overshadowed by the release of Lokah Chapter 1: Chandra.
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