“Oho Enthan Baby” Film Review

Vishnu Vishal’s home production, Oho Enthan Baby marks the acting debut of his younger brother, Rudra opposite Mithila Palkar in her Tamil debut. Vishnu Vishal and Director Mysskin both play themselves in extended cameos, while the supporting cast includes Karunakaran, Redin Kingsley, Balaji Sakthivel, Geetha Kailasam (daughter-in-law of K. Balachander), Kasthuri, Anju Kurian, Singaporean actress Nivashini Krishnan and Vaibhavi Tandle

Oho Enthan Baby takes its title from the 1961 duet between A.M. Rajah and S. Janaki from the film Then Nilavu. It is a modern love story for the current generation and makes an honest attempt to stay out of the clichéd path of love stories.

Director Krishnakumar Ramakumar, in his big screen debut, has created numerous story arcs that include abusive relationships, unrequited love, dysfunctional or troubled families, the art and challenges of filmmaking and the need for human interaction.

With these lofty ideas, Krishnakumar Ramakumar has also brought in modern sensibilities, modern characterisation and modern challenges in an attempt to make a love story vastly different from others. Despite his intentions, the template for Oho Enthan Baby provides little variation to love stories and eventually falls into the trap of clichés, but must be praised for its very sincere attempt at freshness.

Ashwin (Rudhra) is an assistant director in Mysskin’s team and approaches Vishnu Vishal to play the lead in his directorial debut. Vishnu Vishal rejects the two stories Rudhra had in mind. As he was leaving, Rudhra acts on the advice of Vishnu Vishal’s manager, King (Redin Kingsley) and decides to pitch a love story – using his own love story as inspiration.

Ashwin, smarting from a painful break-up, meets Meera (Mithila Palkar) who is also on the rebound. Their attraction is mutual and the relationship gets off to a good start, but Ashwin and Meera are both desperate to escape the negativity that exists in both their households. This desire to escape prevents them from embracing each other’s faults and weakness, leading to the inevitable showdown. How the situation is resolved forms the rest of the story.

Director Krishnakumar has included scenes and details in his characters that reflect modern trends and behaviour. Yet, despite all its embellishments, it still eventually shows the power of true love.

Rudhra makes a very impressive debut, combining good looks with incredible acting depth for a newcomer. Mithila Palkar in her Tamil debut gets off to an ordinary start but soon shows that she is an actress capable of credible emoting and powerful facial eppressions.

Vishnu Vishal is an absolute delight to watch but is overshadowed by Mysskin’s larger than life, but accurately portrayed, personality. Redin Kingsley is in a much better role, but truly needs to work on changing his dialogue delivery or, at the very least, spend a week on a Mani Ratnam set.

Anju Kurian, Nivashini Krishnan and Vaibhavi Tandlehandle their roles adequately.

Karunakaran is in a very memorable role, with Balaji Sakthivel and Geetha Kailasam are the best of the others.

Music by Jen Martin and Ved Shankar provides excellent support for the movie, impressing particularly in the background score.

Harish Kannan’s cinematography has a few brilliant shots among an otherwise ordinary display.

Oho Enthan Baby must be commended for its commentary on the vulnerability of modern love and how it affects Gen Z lovers. It has an arresting beginning and a powerful, emotion-filled and thought-provoking ending, but the screenplay lags somewhat in the middle.

Despite this, Oho Enthan Baby makes for easy viewing and scores 7 points out of 10.

Oho Enthan Baby released theatrically on 11 July and will begin streaming on Netflix on 29 August 2025.