Thoughts on Overlord

So, this much-hyped sequel to a surprisingly decent masala star vehicle—one that had enough substance to keep even non-fans interested—has finally been released.

Addressing the Bajrangi (pun intended)in the Room

For those who grew up in the eighties and were educated the way we were, the opening of the internet in the 2000s was a literal eye-opener. Exposure to the vast expanse of information—far beyond what we were fed—led many who considered themselves liberal, secular, rational, and centrist to realize just how skewed those terms had become. Suddenly, they found themselves labeled as Sanghis.

As a result, people today are so sensitized that they detect conspiracies and propaganda everywhere, primed to scrutinize everything for bias.

So, when scenes of the train burning and the subsequent riots play out on screen, viewers will inevitably interpret them through either saffron-tinted or 'secular' lenses, drawing their own conclusions. The filmmakers certainly play loose with facts, portraying one side as the clear aggressor. The imagery and music only enhance this bias.

The titular lead speaks exclusively in riddles, quoting scriptures (of the secular kind), without uttering a single normal dialogue. Meanwhile, the uncouth, illiterate goon vents his anger in cruder language.

There is an attempt at (monkey) balancing with token characters from both sides making inane statements about their gods saving each other. Later, another attempt at balance comes in the form of a terrorist shouting Death to Kaffirs.

Beyond this, the film touches on various themes: the North vs. South divide, Hindi imposition, a northern party gained prominence in a western state while attempting to break into God’s Own Country, central agencies (caged parrots) being used by the Centre to suppress state voices, and a single party standing as a bulwark against communal violence to protect the people. The villian mouthing words to the effect of, 'I don't like colour green'.

Anyone outraging against this is as entitled to their reaction as those who did the same against The Files and The Story that came out earlier.

Intellectual or Pretentious?

With Kerala’s mundu-lifting, Inquilab Zindabad-shouting politics thrown into the mix, the film attempts to weave in geopolitics, globe-trotting intrigue, deep state conspiracies, Axis-Nexus theories, drug and human trafficking, and terrorism. The filmmakers want you to believe that your intellectual side is being engaged, while your craving for mass masala entertainment is also being satisfied.

It’s Just a Movie, After All

Does it boast a scale never before seen in Malayalam cinema? Absolutely. In fact, it almost feels like a calling card for Hollywood.

Ummm... But...

A paper-thin story, embellished with highfalutin dialogues, stretched out to a painfully slow pace as if playing at 0.75x speed, and to top it all off, every single shot of the star treated as an introduction shot—slow motion, gun-toting, shades-wearing foreign extras striding like stormtroopers. Symbolism and imagery are crammed into nearly every frame.

One hot mess is what it is.

Intentional or Unintentional Takeaways

What is a liberally secular person’s wet dream? 

Stephen and Zayed saving God’s Own Country from Bajrangi.

Unsolicited Advice to a Scion of Political Royalty

This isn’t your cup of tea. Hand it over to your sibling and stand behind her in support.

Final Word

One can't deny the fact that it is excellently marketed to create FOMO

If you don’t intend to watch it, you are smart. And for those waiting for the OTT release—hope and pray that it lands on a platform that allows you to increase the playback speed.

As for the 3rd part, there are enough indications that it will be more of the same.