What’s remarkable about Papanasam is how effectively it manages to make viewers forget the original Drishyam while still establishing itself as its own distinct film. Despite being nearly identical to the Malayalam film frame by frame, it doesn't feel like a remake. The small-town setting, where everyone knows one another, is essential to the story, and Jeethu Joseph convincingly establishes this slow-burning crime thriller in the picturesque town of Papanasam. From the dialogue to the local customs, the atmosphere is so well realized that the film transports you there. The script doesn't undergo major changes, except for the fact that Suyambulingam (Kamal Haasan) is a noticeably different character than the original’s George Kutty. Mohanlal subtly portrayed his role and conveyed an impression of someone confident in winning the game he was playing with the police; Kamal Haasan portrays the character as more emotional, showing a man who can't risk losing. This approach makes Suyambulingam relatable, so you not only care about him but also begin to experience every problem he faces as if it were your own. Suyambulingam is someone who has achieved success on his own and takes pride in that. His cable TV business provides a perfect outlet for his passion for watching movies (he even stays up late at the office to watch films and goes home only in the morning). But what he values most is his family—his wife Rani (Gauthami, good in her return to acting) and daughters Selvi (Nivetha Thomas) and Meena (Esther Anil). When Selvi is blackmailed by Varun (Roshan), who has filmed a compromising video of her, the situation spirals out of control, and the boy ends up dead. Suyambulingam won't allow his family to suffer, so he devises an elaborate plan—inspired by the movies he’s watched and his natural street smarts—to create airtight alibis. However, his adversary, Geetha Prabhakar (Asha Sarath), is equally clever; she’s a woman, a mother, and a police officer—and all three of those roles are known for their instincts. At one point, she sees through his scheme but can she prove that it's false? One of Papanasam’s strengths is its ability to make you sympathize with both characters in the end. Geetha’s son may be a troublemaker, but she and her husband (Ananth Mahadevan) love their son as much as Suyambulingam loves his daughters. However, until the climax, we see her doing everything—including physical coercion—to uncover the truth. The supporting cast—Kalabhavan Mani as the constable who is constantly at odds with the hero and is a witness to his crime, MS Bhaskar as the friendly tea-shop owner, Delhi Ganesh as Suyambu's father-in-law, Aruldas as the decent sub-inspector—are perfectly suited for their parts. Jeethu Joseph also addresses one significant issue in the Malayalam film—an explanation of why a lie detector test is not an option in this case, which enhances the plot’s believability. Given how strong the script is, the filmmaking takes a back seat. The camera work is unobtrusive, although the framing and editing in some scenes approach that of a TV drama and include reaction shots from the characters onscreen. Fortunately, the understated background score, which swells only during genuinely thrilling moments, gives the film a cinematic feel. Although it’s a plot-driven movie, Papanasam is also essentially a showcase for Kamal Haasan. This appears to be an excellent year for Kamal as an actor. Following a restrained performance in Uttama Villain that made us care for Manoranjan, here he expertly balances showiness and resolve as Suyambulingam. After a long time, Kamal isn't burdened by the multiple roles he has to play in the film (you have to go back to Vettaiyadu Vilayadu to see him solely as an actor), and that seems refreshing for him. There’s a renewed energy in his performance, and it’s enjoyable to watch him having fun during the early parts of the movie. This composure also translates into a measured portrayal in scenes requiring intense acting. Aside from the minor issue of the fake mustache, this is a superb performance.

Source on TMDB