Pennum Porattum (2026) — Malayalam Comedy

"Pennum Porattum" is a 2026 Malayalam-language satirical comedy-drama directed by Rajesh Madhavan in his directorial debut. Set in the fictional village of Pattada in Palakkad, the film follows Charulatha (Raina Radhakrishnan), a young woman whose private conversation with Kumar (Dinesh Pe Po) is leaked to the community via WhatsApp, leading to public shaming. Simultaneously, Baburaj's pet dog, Suttu, escapes and is falsely rumored to be rabid, triggering a parallel mob chase. The narrative intercuts between these two hunts, exposing the villagers' irrationality and hypocrisy. The film delves into themes of mob mentality, moral policing, and the contrast between animal innocence and human hypocrisy. Presented with a blend of dark humor and biting satire, "Pennum Porattum" critiques societal tendencies toward judgment and punishment. The narrative is uniquely presented from Suttu's point of view through an internal monologue voiced by Tovino Thomas, adding depth to the exploration of these themes. Upon its release on February 13, 2026, "Pennum Porattum" received critical acclaim for its sharp social commentary and inventive storytelling. The film premiered at the 56th International Film Festival of India (IFFI) in November 2025 and was screened at the 30th International Film Festival of Kerala (IFFK), where it received a standing ovation. It was released theatrically on February 13, 2026, with a runtime of 120 minutes, slightly shorter than the 122-minute festival cut. The film was also released on Netflix on March 13, 2026, making it one of the rare recent Malayalam films to secure an OTT deal prior to its cinema run.