SU FROM SO (KANNADA) – MOVIE REVIEW

Su From So is a Kannada supernatural comedy film written and directed by J. P. Thuminad in his directorial debut and is produced by Shashidhar Shetty Baroda, Ravi Rai Kalasa and Raj B. Shetty under Lighter Buddha Films.

Every once in a while, a film comes along that surprises you not just with what it is, but how it chooses to be. Su From So, a Kannada supernatural comedy directed by debutant J.P. Thuminad, is exactly that kind of surprise. Let’s face it — horror comedies are a tricky space. They often end up being neither scary nor funny. Slapstick overload, caricatured characters, loud sound effects, and the same old exorcism routine wrapped in forced humour. But here’s where Su From So stands out: it doesn’t try to scare you into submission or make you laugh by dumbing down. It simply lets its characters — oddballs, misfits, everyday eccentrics — take over, and boy, do they deliver. From the first scene, the film throws you into a whirlpool of characters. They come at you one after another, each with their own quirks, accents, and unfiltered honesty. You’d expect to be overwhelmed — but somehow, it works. There’s a rhythm to the madness. You might not remember every name, but you remember every face, every punchline, and every little nuance. That’s smart writing. The first half is unhinged in the best way possible. It plays out almost like a series of comedic sketches sewn together with the thread of a loose supernatural plot. The setting — coastal Karnataka — brings its own flavour. The dialects, the mannerisms, the superstitions, the everyday absurdities — all of it feels lived in, not staged. It’s a comedy that grows organically out of the people and the place and then, just when you think the film is all froth and fun, it changes gear.

The second half doesn’t hit you with drama. It suggests depth. It lets the emotional undercurrent gently rise, without losing the film’s essential playfulness. There’s no sudden tonal shift, no dramatic music cue that screams “now feel sad”. Instead, it plants an idea — a social issue, a reflection, a reminder — and lets it linger. And that’s what makes it so effective. The message is strong but not shoved down your throat. There’s no monologue, no “moral of the story” moment. It trusts the audience to get it. And we do. This is the kind of storytelling we don’t see often — especially in the comedy-horror genre, which usually leans too far into absurdity or preaches at the cost of entertainment. Su From So finds that rare middle ground.

Raj B. Shetty — what can I say that hasn’t already been said? He brings a grounded madness to every role. Shaneel Gowtham is a discovery. There’s a natural charm in his performance. Sandhya Arekere shines in her scenes — balanced, expressive, and emotionally precise.The ensemble cast — JP Thuminad himself, Deepak Panaje, Prakash K Thuminadu, Mime Ramdas — are the fuel that keeps this engine running. Their comic timing is razor-sharp, and their chemistry makes even the most chaotic scenes feel cohesive. It’s clear they’re having fun, and that fun is infectious.

Cinematographer Chandrasekaran gives the film a soft, warm glow. Music is where another debut shines. Sumedh K’s songs aren’t just throw-ins — they are seamlessly woven into the narrative, enhancing both the emotion and the entertainment. And the background score by Sandeep Thulasidas adds the perfect pulse — never overpowering, always complementing. Nithin Shetty’s editing keeps the pacing tight and finally, JP Thuminad’s direction — bold, playful, and refreshingly self-assured for a debutant. He seems to know exactly what he wants to say and how he wants to say it, without ever falling into the trap of overdoing. He has fun with the material, but never at the cost of the film’s soul.

Su From So isn’t just another genre experiment. It’s a film with heart, humour, and a head on its shoulders. It makes you laugh, it makes you think, and then it leaves you with a little something to take home. That’s a rare mix. It’s the kind of film that feels like it belongs to its land, its people — and yet, it speaks a universal language of emotion and laughter.
If you’re looking for a film that’s entertaining without being brainless, emotional without being melodramatic, and clever without trying too hard — Su From So is your pick.

This one’s not just for the laughs — it’s laughter with meaning.

SU FROM SO – SOULFUL !!!!

4/5

B.U.Shreesha