Name: Ashakal Aayiram
Director: G. Prajeet
Cast: Jayaram, Kalidas Jayaram, Asha Sharath, Sharaf U Dheen, Ishani Krishna, Anand Manmadhan, Ramesh Pisharody, Dilip Menon
Writer: Jude Anthony Joseph, Aravind Rajendran
Rating: 3/5
Ashakal Aayiram starring Jayaram and Kalidas Jayaram in the lead roles was released in theaters on February 6, 2026. After releasing in theatres, the film is now available for streaming on OTT platform ZEE5.
If you are planning to watch the movie online, here is the IHNS review for you to watch.
Ashakal Aayiram is the story of a young Ajeesh Hariharan, who dreams of becoming a film star but faces many unexpected obstacles in his journey. His father, Hariharan, who has always opposed his passion for cinema, is one of the biggest challenges he has to face.
As the young man struggles to prove himself, the story explores his determination, sacrifices and the emotional conflict between achieving his dreams and meeting his family’s expectations. Along the way, he faces moments of failure and self-doubt that test his resolve. However, his passion for acting helps him move ahead despite setbacks.
Ultimately, the journey becomes not just about fame, but about believing in yourself and achieving your dreams.
What works in Ashakal Aayiram
Ashakal relies heavily on humor handled by Aayiram Jayaram‘s character, mostly at his own expense. The narrative, though similar to the actor’s 1990s cinematic ventures, offers a bit of a spontaneous and spontaneous freshness that audiences love. Additionally, the feel-good drama includes a significant amount of meta humor, even including meme-based humor involving Jayaram.
The back-and-forth between the protagonist and his father drives the story forward. Additionally, the characters’ conversations and actions resemble the structure of a typical 90s family drama, even though it presents itself as a contemporary film.
With the lead character written to suit the actor’s strengths, the first half of Ashakal Aayiram effectively delivers relatable humor and emotions. The humor works particularly well in the early part, with most of the film handled with impressive execution.
What does not work in Aashakaal Aayiram
Ashakal Aayiram fails to maintain its humor in the second half. Even though the film offers a good dose of humor and meta-driven storytelling, it fails to recognize that overuse of these elements ultimately makes them feel unnecessary and repetitive.
Although the film largely relies on its spontaneous treatment, it repeats the same mistakes seen in some of Jayaram’s earlier films, which makes for somewhat tiresome viewing. Although emotional impact is necessary, the repetitive nature of the story makes it feel dull at times.
Additionally, the visuals and editing could have been better, while the music track and background score are largely forgettable.
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Jayaram carries the film on his shoulders, ensuring that the freshness remains impactful and engaging. His comic timing and charm make the film a joy to watch, strongly evoking nostalgia.
Kalidas JayaramHowever, he does not have much scope to showcase his performance. Sharaf U Dheen, on the other hand, as an opportunistic and squabbling product of nepotism, adds a meaningful layer to the narrative.
Ashakal Aayiram Primarily suitable for audiences who enjoy nostalgic elements reminiscent of older films. If you are someone who appreciates feel-good comedy dramas, this is worth watching on OTT.
