Kumbalangi Nights

Joji took me to Kumbalangi Nights a 2019 Indian Malayalam-language comedy-drama film directed by Madhu C. Narayanan. The directorial debut was written by Syam Pushkaran and jointly produced by Fahadh Faasil and Nazriya Nazim under their production house Fahadh Faasil and Friends, in association with Dileesh Pothan and Syam Pushkaran under Working Class Hero. (From Wikepedia)

Saji, Bonny, Bobby and Franky are four brothers living in a small, dilapidated house in the village of Kumbalangi. Saji's father had married Bonny's mother, who then gave birth to Bobby and Franky. When their father dies, the mother abandons the boys to join a religious mission, leaving Saji to be the man of the house. Saji has anger management issues, and often gets into fights with Bobby, an unemployed youngster. Franky is ashamed of Saji and Bobby but gets along well with Bonny, who is mute.

Bobby starts dating Baby, a girl who lives nearby. He eventually proposes to her, but she asks him to talk to her family first. Bobby asks Saji to accompany him, and together they go to meet Shammi, Baby's brother-in-law. Shammi rejects the proposal and ridicules the poor reputation that Bobby's family has among the villagers. Saji tries to console Bobby and asks him to get a job, which he does.

One day, a fight breaks out between Saji and Franky. Bonny, who is very protective of Franky, hits Saji. Ashamed, Saji leaves the house and takes to drinking with his friend Vijay. In his drunken stupor, Saji tries to commit suicide. Vijay saves him but loses his own life in the process. Stricken with remorse, Saji goes to Vijay's house to apologise to his wife, Sathi, where he finds her in labour. He takes her to the hospital, where she gives birth to a baby girl. Saji takes Sathi and her daughter to his house. Meanwhile, Bonny has brought home an American tourist, Nylah, who has been kicked out of her hotel for inviting Bonny there. Franky is pleased to have the two women in the house, as it gives them some semblance of being a regular family.

Some time later, Saji approaches Shammi again and asks him to reconsider the proposal, which Shammi refuses. Baby makes up her mind to elope with Bobby. However, Shammi finds out about Baby's plans, and turns abusive and violent. He assaults Baby, her sister and their mother, holding them captive in their own home. When Baby fails to return his calls, Bobby get anxious and decides to check up on her. Bobby's brothers volunteer to help, and the four arrive at Baby's house. 

Together, they manage to trap Shammi with a fishing net and set the women free. Bobby and Baby are finally reunited and get married. Through Shammi's character, director Narayanan aimed to depict the misogyny and toxic masculinity that passes for heroism in Kerala. 

Though had heard a lot about this movie, guess now was the time.