Watched Narivetta? Don’t Miss These Underrated Malayalam Masterpieces Inspired By Real-Life Events

Have you watched Narivetta and liked the Tovino Thomas starrer? Now you’re on the lookout for something similar? Well, we have two suggestions for you to consider. The first is a 2008 film titled Thalappavu, starring Prithviraj and Lal. The second is the more contemporary Malik (2021), starring Fahadh Faasil. Both films are inspired by true events, just like Narivetta, but Thalappavu shares many more similarities with Narivetta.

Thalappavu

• Streaming on: SUNNXT & YouTube
• IMDb: 7.5
• Director: Madhupal

Plot: First, let us introduce you to Thalappavu, directed by Madhupal and written by Babu Janardhanan. Let’s be upfront, this is not a commercial film like Narivetta. While the plot shares some real similarities, the treatment is entirely different. Thalappavu is made on a tight budget, with editing that feels rough and a screenplay that doesn’t quite hit the mark. The practical effects and visuals are, to put it generously, unimpressive.

Despite these notable drawbacks, Lal delivers a commendable performance. The story revolves around a retired police officer wrestling with guilt over killing an unarmed, tied-up Naxal leader in the woods during his early service years. Decades later, he confesses his crime publicly. The film takes a sympathetic view of the Naxalite movement, highlighting its human side without delving into the more problematic or negative aspects of armed insurgency.