Iyer in Arabia is a 2024 Malayalam comedy-drama film directed by M.A. Nishad. The film stars Mukesh as Sreenivasa Iyer, a traditional Brahmin, and Urvashi as his progressive wife, Jhansi Rani.
Their son Rahul (Dhyan Sreenivasan) travels to Dubai for a job and falls in love with Saira (Durga Krishna), a Muslim girl. The parents travel to Dubai to protest against their son's choice, and thus begins a series of hilarious and revealing circumstances. The film is all about cultural clashes, intergeneration differences, and the hassles in adapting to new environments.Summary
The plot is centered on Sreenivasa Iyer, a retired government official with firm principles, and his wife Jhansi Rani, a history professor and atheist. Their son Rahul travels to Dubai for work and forms a relationship with Saira, a Muslim girl. Upon hearing of it, Iyer and Jhansi Rani travel to Dubai to halt it. The film narrates the journey of Iyer from dogmatism to enlightenment upon exposure to divergent perspectives in the Middle East. The contrast between Iyer's traditional thoughts and Jhansi Rani's liberal thoughts produces humor as well as intellectual moments.
Movie Review
Critics have reviewed Iyer in Arabia with a mixed bag. While some praise it for its satirical presentation of societal conventions, others censure it for not living up to expectations. The performances of Mukesh and Urvashi have been highlighted as positives, with their chemistry on the screen adding value to the film. The script has been criticized for relying too much on clichés and being devoid of freshness. The attempt at political satire is noted but is found to be underdeveloped by some. Overall, while the film has some moments of humor and observation, it may not resonate with all.
OTT Release
Iyer in Arabia will start streaming on Sun NXT from May 16, 2025. The film's blend of comedy and social commentary. Read about other OTT releases here.
