Paranthu Po Movie Review: A Heartwarming Flight into Family, Freedom, and Finding Joy

Paranthu Po Movie Review: Director Ram surprises with a charming family drama that’s both lighthearted and layered. Starring Shiva, Grace Antony, and Mithul, it’s a soulful musical that celebrates parenting, childhood, and the simple joys of life.

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Paranthu Po Movie Review: Ram’s Light-Hearted Masterpiece Soars with Emotion and Humor

Director: Ram
Cast: Shiva, Mithul, Grace Antony, Anjali, Aju Varghese
Rating: ⭐⭐⭐⭐ (4/5)
Language: Tamil

🎬 Introduction: A Softer Side of Ram

Ram, the filmmaker known for heavy, philosophical explorations in films like Thanga Meengal and Taramani, takes an unexpected detour with Paranthu Po. While the emotional core remains, this time it’s delivered with warmth, wit, and a smile. With a brilliant ensemble and a musical soul, Ram’s latest is a delightful ode to parenting, empathy, and the elusive pursuit of happiness.

🌟 Plot Summary: A Family Navigating the Modern Rat Race

Shiva plays Gokul, a light-hearted entrepreneur who sells organic products and juggles fatherhood with ambition. His wife Glory (Grace Antony) is equally driven, balancing her own business while raising their 8-year-old son Anbu (Mithul). Anbu is no caricature; he’s a wonderfully real child—curious, sometimes lonely, often mature, but always loveable.

What unfolds is not a grand plot, but an emotional journey of three individuals learning how to love, live, and let go—set against the backdrop of modern urban life and its pressure to perform, conform, and achieve.

🎭 Performances: Subtle, Real, and Moving

• Shiva delivers a career-best performance, effortlessly oscillating between comedy and vulnerability. His sardonic wit is razor-sharp, yet he never loses his emotional grounding.

• Grace Antony is the soul of the film. As a multitasking mother and woman with her own journey, she brings charm, realism, and empathy to a character that’s so often written one-dimensionally.

• Mithul as Anbu is refreshingly age-appropriate. His innocence and occasional bursts of insight are among the film’s most touching elements.

✨ Writing & Direction: A New Chapter in Ram’s Filmmaking

Ram’s storytelling here is deceptively simple. Paranthu Po may appear as a feel-good comedy, but dig a little deeper and you’ll uncover themes of:

• Modern parenting and sacrifice

• Middle-class aspiration and burnout

• Interfaith relationships and social judgement

• The importance of empathy and kindness

Every supporting character adds to the narrative in subtle ways—from Vanitha (Anjali) and her kind husband (Aju Varghese), to Jenna’s parents who represent the materialistic ideal many chase.

🎵 Music & Cinematography: A Visual and Aural Treat

• Santhosh Dhayanidhi’s songs, paired with Madhan Karky’s sing-along lyrics, transform the film into a near-musical. The songs don’t interrupt the flow; they elevate the emotion.

• NK Ekambaram’s cinematography is breathtaking, not in grandeur but in intimacy. Nature isn’t framed as a reminder of our insignificance, but as an invitation to reconnect, to wonder, to belong.

Whether it’s Anbu diving into a pond, or wave-boarding on an empty street, Paranthu Po feels like a love letter to childhood—and to those still young at heart.

🧠 Themes That Resonate:

• Empathy over judgment: Every time someone is judged, the film moves away from them or redeems them.

• Escaping expectations: The title Paranthu Po (Fly Away) isn’t about escape from responsibility but about liberation from pressure and conformity.

• Layered characters: From Gokul’s old flame to Glory’s quiet strength, every arc matters.

✅ Pros:

• Wholesome, heartfelt storytelling

• Strong performances by Shiva and Grace Antony

• Unique, poetic visuals and music

• Subtle commentary on modern life and parenting

• Ram’s most accessible yet layered film

❌ Cons:

• Its whimsical tone may not suit all audiences

• The musical structure might feel indulgent to some

• A very gentle conflict curve—low on traditional drama

🎯 Final Verdict:

Paranthu Po is not just a film. It’s a warm hug wrapped in laughter, music, and emotional wisdom. It’s a rare gem that asks us to live lighter, love deeper, and always make space for joy—even in a world that never slows down.

⭐ Final Rating: 4/5 — Uplifting, honest, and beautifully crafted.
A perfect family watch, and an even better reminder that it’s okay to pause and smile.