Prakambanam Review: Spirits, Students And Slapstick Make This Horror Comedy Click

Prakambanam begins in an old ancestral house where faith quietly clashes with ideology. Inside Chembakath Veedu, a deeply religious grandmother (Mallika Sukumaran) continues to perform rituals for the dead, even as her sons, committed Communists, scoff at belief and tradition.

Spoiler Alert:

Her death is not followed by prayers or ceremonies, but by an uncomfortable silence, and that silence becomes the film’s emotional trigger.

What starts as a gentle observation on belief soon turns into a lively, laughter-filled horror comedy that thrives on youthful chaos.

The film then moves to a men’s hostel in Kochi, introducing Sidhu (Ganapathi) , Punyalan (Sagar Surya) and Shankaran (Al Ameen) — final-year students whose lives are filled with alcohol, campus politics, loud friendships and careless ambition.

These portions feel instantly familiar and comforting, clearly echoing the energy of Adi Kapyare Koottamani. The humour here is rooted in everyday hostel life, with exaggerated reactions, group panic and situational comedy driving the narrative.

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As the story progresses, an accidental mix-up involving the grandmother’s ashes pushes the film into its true zone.

From here on, Prakambanam fully embraces its horror-comedy identity.

The scares are mild, but the laughs are loud. Much like Romancham, the film understands that fear works best when it’s shared and mocked, by a group.

The possession scenes, in particular, become the film’s biggest strength, balancing absurdity with sharp comic timing.

Sagar Surya delivers a standout performance, switching effortlessly between carefree hostel life and possessed madness.

Ganapathi and Al Ameen support him well, especially in moments where panic overtakes logic.

Mallika Sukumaran’s presence leaves a lasting impact despite limited screen time. The supporting cast adds depth and steady humour, ensuring the narrative never feels empty.

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Technically, the film keeps things simple and effective. The cinematography captures both the warmth of hostel life and the light eeriness required for a horror comedy.

The background score smartly supports the tonal shifts, while the songs blend naturally into the flow without slowing things down. Director Vijesh Panathur keeps the film playful and self-aware, never trying to be more serious than it needs to be.

Beyond the laughs, Prakambanam gently pokes fun at belief systems, political rigidity and generational contradictions without turning preachy. It may take a little time to find its footing, but once it does, the film becomes an engaging and enjoyable ride.

Timeline Verdict: Prakambanam is a light, youthful horror comedy that values fun over fear.

Cast & Crew:
Director: Vijesh Panathur
Writer: Sreehari Vadakkan                                                                                                                                                                       Music: Bibin Ashok, Sankar Sharma                                                                                                                                                   Cinematography: Alby Antony
Cast: Ganapathi, Sagar Surya, Al Ameen, Mallika Sukumaran, Sheethal Joseph, Rajesh Madhavan, Azees Nedumangad, Kalabhavan Navas, Prashanth Alexander, P. P. Kunhikrishnan, Abhijith Suresh