India, Jan. 31 -- When one thinks of a Basil Joseph film and his previous performances, what comes to mind immediately is the Malayalam actor making us laugh and smile in a light comedy that subtly carries a serious message. But director Jotish Shankar's film Ponman (The Man with Gold) is extremely different, and Basil has broken out of this stereotyped image of his-and how. Ponman is based on the novel by GR Indugopan titled Nalanchu Cheruppakarar (Four Five Young Men). (Also read: Pravinkoodu Shappu movie review: This Basil Joseph, Soubin Shahir flick is deceptive, comical but doesn't pack a punch)

Set in Kollam, the audience is introduced to Bruno (Anand Manmadhan) and his family, which includes his widowed mother and sister, Steffi G...