Sarvam Maya Review: Everyone keeps asking the same question: Is Nivin Pauly back? I won’t say, “Yes, he’s back” like it’s a headline. I’ll say something simpler and more honest: he made me laugh again. And that matters more.
Sarvam Maya, written and directed by Akhil Sathyan, isn’t trying to scream “comeback.” It isn’t chasing whistles or mass moments. It just sits there, relaxed, confident, and quietly reminds you why Nivin Pauly worked so well in the first place. And honestly? That felt refreshing.
My Rating: 3.5/5
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Movie Title | Sarvam Maya |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Horror Comedy, Family Drama |
| Director | Akhil Sathyan |
| Writer | Akhil Sathyan |
| Lead Cast | Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese |
| Supporting Cast | Riya (Priya) Shibu, Preethi Mukundan, Janardhanan, Madhu Warrier, Raghunath Paleri, Vijeesh |
| Music | Justin Prabhakaran |
| Runtime | Approx. 2h 26m |
A Personal Detour Before the Movie Itself
I need to talk about Riya (or Priya) Shibu for a moment, because this surprised me. A while ago, I reviewed Cup, where she played the female lead. Back then, I was critical. Very critical. She barely reacted, barely expressed, and felt like a blank wall in scenes that needed emotion.
Then I noticed her name popping up elsewhere, as a producer. Then in Mura. Then attached to Veeradheerasooran. Then I saw her on social media, teaching languages, speaking confidently, owning the frame. And now, in Sarvam Maya? I genuinely sat there watching her like, “Wow. This is growth.”
She’s expressive, emotionally clear, and completely in control. Not exaggerating when I say she’s one of the Sarvam Maya film’s biggest positives. It felt like she finally found a character that fit her, or maybe she finally found herself as an actor. Either way, I walked out a fan.
What Sarvam Maya Is Really About
On the surface, this is a horror-comedy. But if you’re expecting scary ghosts and jump scares, relax. The real “horror” here isn’t paranormal. It’s the things we ignore in daily life. The beliefs we casually mock. The relationships we leave unresolved.
That’s where the film quietly lands its message, without preaching, without lectures. Nivin Pauly plays a rational, atheist character who once left his roots behind and returns later, surrounded by poojas, rituals, and contradictions. What follows is less about faith and more about family, ego, distance, and reconciliation. And all of it is wrapped in gentle humor.
Performances That Carry the Sarvam Maya Film
Nivin Pauly feels… comfortable here. Not loud. Not trying too hard. Just expressive in that familiar, readable way where you know what he’s thinking before he speaks. That relatability is his strength, and yes, sometimes it borders on predictability, but here, it works.
Aju Varghese is in perfect form. He understands timing as very few actors do. Every scene with him has a natural rhythm, helped a lot by Justin Prabhakaran’s background score. Madhu Warrier deserves special mention. If there’s ever a definition of a “good brother” on screen, warm, funny, understanding, this is it.
Janardhanan as the great-uncle instead of the usual grandfather character? That choice worked beautifully. It felt real. Familiar. Like someone you actually know from your own family. And Raghunath Paleri, whether writing or appearing, always brings a certain weight. He doesn’t need volume. Just presence.
There’s also a small role by Vijeesh that honestly impressed me. One dialogue. That’s all it took for him to shake Nivin Pauly’s character — and us along with him. Preethi Mukundan has limited screen time, but she uses it well. No complaints there.
Humor That Doesn’t Hurt Anyone
This is where the Sarvam Maya film quietly wins. The humor is light. Situational. Non-toxic. No screaming. No forced cringe. No insults disguised as jokes.
Yes, there is one Ambalaparam-style comedy scene where a couple of words could’ve been avoided. That stood out because the rest of the film is so clean. Remove that tiny bit, and this becomes a movie you can confidently take kids to.
I literally watched children in the theatre laughing at the “ghost” instead of being scared. That says a lot.
Also Read: Champion Review: Boring First Half, Goosebumps Second Half – This Film Surprised Me
Music, Visuals, and That “Fresh” Feeling
Justin Prabhakaran’s music doesn’t overpower the Sarvam Maya film. It floats through it. The background score feels like that subtle fragrance you notice when someone walks past, not loud, just pleasant.
The visuals aren’t designed to scare. They’re playful. Colorful. Purposefully fun. Costumes, makeup, and production design all lean into that lightness. Even the horror elements are framed to make you smile, not flinch.
There’s a dance number that’s already a hit, and every time it plays, it weirdly reminds me of early One Direction tracks, upbeat, carefree, easy to enjoy.
Predictable? A Little. Problematic? Not Really.
Yes, you can predict certain arcs. Yes, some emotional beats feel familiar. Yes, you can guess where certain relationships are headed. But the film also smartly avoids a few obvious clichés, just enough to keep you engaged. It doesn’t fully reinvent anything, and it doesn’t need to.
This isn’t trying to be groundbreaking cinema. It’s trying to be pleasant. And it succeeds.
The Emotional Undercurrent That Hit Me
There’s a subplot involving struggling artists, exploitation, empty promises, and survival, and if you’ve ever worked in a creative field, that part will sting a little.
From fake assurances to delayed payments to emotional manipulation, it’s all there. Quietly. Honestly. Father-son dynamics, sibling relationships, friends sitting together and talking, the film understands these spaces well. It laughs with them, not at them.
The Good & Bad Sarvam Maya
What Worked
| Aspect | Why It Stands Out |
|---|---|
| Nivin Pauly | Natural, relaxed, and genuinely funny |
| Riya/Priya Shibu | Massive improvement, emotionally strong |
| Aju Varghese | Effortless humor and timing |
| Family Dynamics | Warm, relatable, well-written |
| Humor | Light, clean, situational |
| Music & BGM | Fresh, soothing, never intrusive |
| Kid-Friendly | Safe, fun, no awkward moments |
What Could’ve Been Better
| Aspect | Why It Stumbles |
|---|---|
| One Comedy Scene | A couple of unnecessary lines |
| Final Add-On | Felt emotionally complete before it |
| Predictability | Familiar arcs in places |
Final Thoughts: So… Is Nivin Pauly Back?
For me? This isn’t a thunderous comeback. It’s a gentle return to form. Sarvam Maya is the kind of film you watch comfortably, smile through, and walk out feeling lighter than when you went in.
No stress. No heaviness. Just a good, honest time at the movies. Whether this becomes a box-office success is up to the audience. But as someone who watched it without expectations, I’m glad I did.
If you’ve already seen it, drop your thoughts. A lot of people decide based on comments alone. And yeah, this is just my experience. Yours might be different. But sometimes, that’s the beauty of cinema.