Virus Review

Cast: Kunchacko Boban, Parvathy Thriuvoth, Tovino Thomas, Revathi
Music: Sushin Shyam
Direction: Aashiq Abu

Aashiq Abu’s Virus is about the 2018 outbreak of Nipah virus in Kozhikode district, Kerala. Virus is written by Mushin Parari, Sharfu, Suhas and it’s written so brilliantly. The story starts with a guy entering medical college hospital with high fever and other symptoms which the doctors are unaware of. This guy dies and they come to know there are a few people with similar symptoms admitted in other hospitals. The story revolves around what is the virus? How it’s spread? How they are controlling the contamination?

I really loved the way the film showed how this virus created panic on the public in just one scene, where the public block the road for an ambulance. Similarly the media angle of this virus spread was shown minimum. The film concentrated only on the patients, doctors and the government officials. All these characters were played by top stars but they all blended in well in their respective characters. An aspect in which Malayalam cinema excels.

The screenplay writing is marvelous with story shifting back and forth, maintaining the tension among the audience. The stories behind each patient is well written with emotions for a limited screen time. The writing completes every single subplots properly. The editing is seamlessly done without creating any confusions and the cinematography is exquisite, especially those shots over the patients when pulled in a stretcher is haunting. The red and green colour used too gives a feeling of fear.

Verdict: Excellent writing, a must watch film.