JOJI: Is This Shakespearean Tragedy Good?

Published by A Megha on April 4, 2023April 4, 2023

The JOJI (2021) movie depicts that selfishness can destroy everything. Fascinatingly, this Indian movie is set on the rubber plantation of Kottayam, Kerala. And notably, the film director Dileesh Pothan has said that this gripping crime drama movie is slightly inspired by the Shakespearean classic literature titled Macbeth.

Therefore, in a way, JOJI narrates a Shakespearean tragedy. However, it is interesting to note that the writer of the film, Syam Pushkaran, has not read Macbeth. Yet, he has written an engaging crime drama that has almost all the ingredients of a Shakespearean classic.

Uncontrolled Greed Destroys Everything, Including Family

Spoiler-Free Brief Review of the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

The synopsis

Joji (Fahadh Faasil), an engineering dropout and the youngest son of a rich plantation family, lives with his aspirations of becoming a super-wealthy NRI. But his father sees him as a proper loser. Driven by greed and blind ambition, he finally decides to execute his plans following an unexpected event in the family. Will he succeed in achieving his dreams?

Malayalam film & the Macbeth

In this Malayalam film, the inner dynamics of a wealthy family come to the fore when a son decides to get the much-desired freedom and a bigger slice of power plus wealth for himself. This movie is somewhat similar to the original Shakespearean tragic play, Macbeth, in its central theme.

So, allow us to share a summary note about Macbeth below.

Three witches tell the Scottish general Macbeth that he will be King of Scotland. Encouraged by his wife, Macbeth kills the king, becomes the new king, and kills more people out of paranoia. Civil war erupts to overthrow Macbeth, resulting in more death.

Macbeth Summary

Discovering the world of new languages and subtitles

During the COVID-related lockdown period, many of our family and friends discovered the world of subtitles in movies and series. Also, our Keralite friends have spoken very highly of their Malayalam language films, including this film.

So, a couple of years ago, we watched it and loved it. The blind ambition depicted in this crime drama is riveting and intriguing.

We too loved the script, direction and acting in it

Not only us but many people have loved this film. Not surprisingly, this thought-provoking Malayalam movie has won awards for the writers, the directors and the actors. Unnimaya Prasad, who won acting awards for playing the role of Bincy in this film, is from Kochi, Kerala. She has done an amazing job in this movie. Dileesh Pothan won the Best Director Award for this film. He is known for his pioneering work in movies like Maheshinte Prathikaaram, Thondimuthalum Driksakshiyum, Kumbalangi Nights, et al.

It is worth noting that Fahadh Faasil (who plays the main character) did not win any award for his central character, but he won lots of appreciation. He is a class act. He has previously won awards in Malayalam movies like Artist, North 24 Kaatham, Akam, etc.

The conclusion

From now onwards, we are going to keep an eye on Fahadh Faasil, Unnimaya Prasad, and Dileesh Pothan – their body of work. This is a good and thoughtful film from Kerala, India. We fell completely in love with this high-quality movie. It is a well-acted family crime drama – worth watching and experiencing at least once.

Rating of of the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

Poster of the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

Key Details about the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

Trailer of the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

THE HOOK - JOJI Original Soundtrack | Justin Varghese | Bhavana Studios | YouTube Link.

Awards Won by the JOJI (2021/Malayalam) Movie

If you like this dark family drama movie from India, then go ahead and check out the FM article about Tarla in our Focus Magazine. It is another family drama from India, which handles a lighter theme, too.

Featured & Other Images: JOJI | Amazon.