Enthada Saji

Enthada Saji (transl. What is it, Saji) is a 2023 Indian Malayalam-language fantasy comedy film written and directed by Godfy Xavier Babu. The film features Nivetha Thomas in the title role, with Kunchacko Boban and Jayasurya in leading roles. It is produced by Listin Stephen under the banner of Magic Frames. This film marks Nivetha Thomas' return to Malayalam cinema after a 9-year hiatus.

Enthada Saji
Theatrical release poster
Directed by	Godfy Xavier Babu
Written by	Godfy Xavier Babu
Produced by	Listin Stephen
Starring	Nivetha Thomas Kunchacko Boban Jayasurya
Edited by	Ratheesh Raj
Music by	William Francis
Production company	Magic Frames
Release date	8 April 2023 (2023-04-08)
Running time	123 minutes
Country	India
Language	Malayalam
Budget	3 crore

Plot

Sajimol is a lazy and spoiled young woman often teased about her single status. One day, after praying in the chapel, she hears the voice of Saint Roch and talks to him through his statue. She requests a personal meeting, and he agrees on the condition that she attends daily mass. Sajimol complies, meeting and conversing with him daily, and he helps transform her life. She adopts a stray dog, rekindles her romance with her old crush Roy, who has returned to Kerala, and Saint Roch promises to ensure her marriage goes smoothly.

Sajimol proposes to Roy in a cemetery, and he accepts. Their happiness is short-lived when the statue of Saint Roch is stolen. Sajimol reports it, but the locals dismiss it as the statue holds no significant value, deciding to replace it with a new one. The church allocates funds for the new statue, but the money is misappropriated and divided among members. Cleetus's son donates money to buy the statue to have his name inscribed on it, but Sajimol discovers that this new statue does not speak to her.

Determined to recover the original, Sajimol and her friend Minimol search for it. In a dream, Saint Roch reveals that her adopted dog is his. When the dog goes missing but is later found, Sajimol reads the Bible for clues and locates the statue in an abandoned house, only for it to be stolen again. Sajimol pursues the thieves on her bicycle and retrieves the statue. The chapel rewards her with the statue, and a few months later, Sajimol marries Roy.

Cast

• Nivetha Thomas as Sajimol Thomas
• Kunchacko Boban as Saint Rocky (St.Roch)
• Jayasurya as Roy Augustine
• Prayaga Martin as Annie
• Senthil Krishna as Vishnu "Minnal"
• Rajesh Sharma as Maliyekkal Thomas, Sajimol's father
• Sidhartha Siva as Priest
• Arya Rohit as Minimol
• Prem Prakash as Puthenpurayil Augustine, Roy's father
• Sreejith Ravi as Cleetus
• Baiju Ezhupunna as Puthenpurayil Kunjukunju, Augustine's younger brother
• Benny P Nayarambalam as the Parish Clerk

Production

Kunchacko Boban, Jayasurya, and Nivetha Thomas were cast in the film in 2022. The shooting commenced on 1 April 2022 and concluded on 24 May 2022.

Principal photography began on 1 April 2022.^[1] This film marks the director's debut.^[2] The trailer was released on 6 April 2023.^[3] The film, which received mixed reviews, was released in theatres on 8 April 2023.^[4]

Music

The soundtrack album for Enthada Saji was composed by William Francis, while the original background score was created by Jakes Bejoy. The songs "Neehaaram" and "Athmavil, Doorangal" were composed by William Francis.

Reception

Vignesh Madhu, critic of Cinema Express, wrote that "Watching Enthada Saji feels like attending a prayer session as the makers indulge in plenty of preachiness, told mostly through Bible verses," and gave it 2.25 stars out of 5.^[5] Sanjith Sidhardhan, critic of OTTPlay, gave it 3 out of 5 and stated that "Enthada Saji is simple and pleasing, elevated by some warm moments and delightful performances of its cast".^[6] Mathrubhumi gave it a mixed review.^[7]

Release

Theatrical

The film was released in theatres on 7 April 2023.

Home media

The digital streaming rights of Enthada Saji were acquired by Amazon Prime Video.^{[citation needed]}