Baby Girl

Arun Varma’s Baby Girl has a simple premise that is made enjoyable for the most part by its screenplay. Along with writers Bobby and Sanjay, Varma takes one of the most basic storylines and turns it into a semi-gripping thriller. However, there is something missing—an element that fully anchors the audience to the film.

Sanal (Nivin Pauly) is an attender at a private hospital in Thiruvananthapuram. One day, when he arrives late to work, a child is abducted from the maternity ward. The goose chase that follows forms the crux of the film.

The film portrays events that unfold over 24 hours, but that urgency fails to translate to the screen in a meaningful way. It does drag towards the end, especially since the climax is more or less predictable. There are several unnecessary scenes sprinkled throughout. That said, the characters manage to keep the viewer invested. Rishi, played by Sangeeth Prathap, and Ritu, played by Lijomol, are given a backstory that makes them feel human. By rooting the narrative in its characters, the team does a neat job of sustaining engagement. The decision to use flashbacks to reveal developments from the 'current timeline' prevents the film from becoming an absolute cliche.

To reiterate, the film is predictable. However, the turmoil and conflict are human and plausible, with motivations that are understandable to an extent. While the film could have taken a more practical route for the climax, it instead opts for a more optimistic approach, which ultimately uplifts the emotional track.

Nivin Pauly blends seamlessly into the common man persona, though beyond that, he does not have much to do. Sangeeth Prathap is fantastic in this rare serious role, convincingly portraying the impulsive younger brother. Lijomol serves as a grounding presence in the film. Abhimanyu Thilakan also plays a significant role. Faiz Siddik is the cinematographer of the film while Shyjith Kumaran is the editor.