Ponman (2025) Movie Review

A man in a beige shirt is rowing a wooden canoe across calm blue water. He has a gentle smile on his face and looks peaceful. The word "Ponman" is written in stylish text at the top, and "@randomwhys" is written along the left side of the image.
2–3 minutes

This post has been sitting in my drafts for a while. With the current market situation and the rise in gold prices, I felt this was the right time to finally bring it out.

The movie moves at a slow pace, but the characters stay consistent throughout. It focuses on the impact of patriarchy and the dowry system, not just on women, but on men too. It shows how families, knowingly or unknowingly, get pulled into this loop of giving and taking dowry.

The story revolves around a woman (Steffi) getting married and how the demand for dowry creates emotional and financial pressure. When the breadwinner of the family is no longer around, it becomes even harder for her. The male lead (Ajesh) delivers a solid, grounded performance, and his presence adds weight to the narrative.

What I liked is that the film doesn’t paint dowry as a one-sided issue. Both men and women, shaped by societal expectations, become part of the system. The movie also touches on how men silently suffer, trying to balance tradition, pride, and love. Mariyano did a great role on balancing his family demands and sticking to his principles.

In between all this, there’s a quiet but sharp commentary on gold. Over the years, gold prices have shot up. It’s often seen as a safe investment and a way to diversify wealth especially in uncertain markets. But gold should stay in the realm of savings and not be the starting point of a relationship. The movie makes that point without being preachy. Gold can add value to portfolios, not marriages.

The ending might feel subtle to some, but it worked for me. The female lead (Steffi) doesn’t make a grand speech instead, she simply chooses to trust and help the Ajesh. One line stood out, “Women are beautiful without gold.” Hope it reaches many. Steffi wants to cut off these chains and fly. It’s not loud, but it stays with you. Do give it a watch ! It’s streaming now on JioHotstar.

Cheers

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Author: Sunandhini R

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