We see a lot of movies every year (or say week in my case), but not every movie would leave us with such everlasting memories like some movies. Ustad Hotel is one such movie which i can recall with extreme accuracy even though i watched it years ago. This is an example of extremely good writing. You can't wake up one fine morning and write ustad hotel, it requires months of experience and thinking. The movie has such a tightly coupled setting and strong native binding that even if u remove a single brick out even if it is a very small one like kareem ikka biriyani or sulaimani, it won't look good. The movie treats its primary thing(food) with utmost respect. Just look at every scene in which food is being displayed. It has such fantastic scenes like the one in the pic and the whole climax episode in madurai. There are some movies which can make your entire day awesome irrespective of how down you are and make you wish that the movie never ends. When someone combines your favorite thing in the world(food) with your favorite genre(feel-good drama) and have such a good team working for it, Ustad Hotel is the end product. Even if you take world cinema there can be only a handful of movies with such good writing. Wish Anjali Menon and team keeps producing such gems.(TL;DR - watch ustad hotel if you love food or when you feel down if language is not a barrier.)

Though it was Dulquer Salmaan's first film as an actor, he didn't go with the typical mindset of Indian actors of introducing himself as an super hero or central character of any film (when he could do that). That shows his maturity and wisdom.There were many times when the viewers felt the central character was Thilakan and not Dulquer Salmaan. Thilakan sir again proved that with whomever he is acting, he will steel the show. What an actor .!I really liked the cute, smart Nithya Menon. Her Malabar accent was awesome.The rest of the crew also did their job fabulously. The background music was also very good.It must be the kind of masterpiece that every director and viewers dream of.I congratulate all the crew member for making the film such a huge success and wish them to always come with such ideas.Thanks, Sujith

It's really a wonderful feeling when you set to watch a movie with average expectation and it then blows your mind away :) Without doubt, Ustad Hotel is one of the most endearing movies I've seen and is also now one of my all-time favs in Malayalam cinema. Everything about it including the acting, direction, music & visuals are so impressive.Dulquer Salmaan is excellent as Feyzee, the aspiring chef. So is Thilakan for whom I cannot praise as he's beyond all that. Thank God, one of his last movies gave him such a meaty, beautiful role. And of course there the other actors too like Nithya Menen(refreshing), Siddique as Dulquer's father and lot of supporting cast who are naturally convincing.There are some socially relevant messages in the movie that truly hits home without making us feel bored or patronized. That's how any movie should be, which entertains & enlightens! I'm assuming there could be some minor plot holes which I missed, therefore the 9/10. lol...Verdict: Definitely, one of the best movies of 2012 and in my opinion, a must watch.

This is my first review and i am very glad to have started up with this particular movie.First of all full points to Anwar Rasheed for casting Thilakan in this particular role,because he did absolute justice to the character.Dulquer and Nithya played along quite nicely.Then full points to both the story and direction.Excellent First half.Beautiful second half.This will be a milestone in Dulquer's career.I hope Listin Stephen continues to reap success because he is one of those producers who gives importance to the script rather than to the lead actors.Hats off guys for taking Malayalam film industry to a whole new level. Positives:good cast,direction,story,enchanting music. Negatives:a bit lagging at times. NOW STOP READING REVIEWS AND GO WATCH THIS GEM OF A MOVIE....