Dileep's latest outing, Prince and Family, a comedy family drama directed by debutant Binto Stephen and penned by Sharis Mohammed, has hit theatres and is already generating buzz online. Featuring a star-studded cast including Dhyan Sreenivasan, Siddique, Meenakshi, Mahima Nambiar, and Arjun Ashokan, the film attempts to bring back Dileep's vintage comic flair. But what do netizens think?
On Twitter, opinions have been varied, with some calling it a decent comeback for the actor, while others felt the humor didn’t land well. One user shared, "#PrinceAndFamily COMEBACK DILEEP DONE ..3.75/5 As Expected Trying To Bring Back #Dileep's Vintage Masterpieces But Only Have The Standards of Whatsapp Jokes. Despite 2-3 Jokes, Most of The Things Felt as Cringe." Another review stated, "#PrinceAndFamily - AVERAGE FIRST HALF !! As Expected Trying To Bring Back #Dileep's Vintage Masterpieces But Only Have The Standards of Whatsapp Jokes. Despite 2-3 Jokes Most of The Things Felt as Cringe.. Some Emotions Hooked Well Except That Nothing Felt Good in First Half."
However, there was praise as well. A viewer wrote, "#PrinceAndFamily First Half Kidu Crucial 2nd half, heavily depended on heroine. #Dileep and Siddique." The music and background score received some appreciation too: "Cinecrak @cinecrak_ · 1h #PrinceAndFamily Good First Half Nice Bgm and there are laugh-worthy moments #Dileep as always good." Another noted the film’s entertainment value: "#PrinceAndFamily First half: kidu no lag, no boring Comedy okke nannayi work ayitt und ithuvare van kidu Dileep performance." One hopeful fan tweeted, "#PrinceAndFamily FH Apart from recent movies of Dileep comedies were worked and laugh worthy! Chance of a comeback it seems! All eyes on the second half!!"
As audience verdicts pour in, Prince and Family may just be the comeback Dileep was looking for, though the box office performance remains to be seen in the coming days.
Malayalam film enthusiasts finally got to see Prince and Family on the big screen today, as the comedy-drama hit theaters across Kerala and beyond on May 9, 2025. The film, which had been generating curiosity since the release of its first-look poster in October 2024, is notable not only for its ensemble cast but also for marking Dileep's 150th film. With Prince and Family now in theaters, audience reactions are expected to surface on social media platforms like X (formerly Twitter) as the day progresses.
The film, featuring a blend of seasoned and younger actors, had already generated online buzz in the lead-up to its release. As viewers begin to catch early shows, more detailed responses are likely to follow in the coming hours and over the weekend.
Prince and Family is written by Sharis Mohammed and produced by Listin Stephen under the Magic Frames banner. The film brings together a mix of veteran and young actors, with Dileep in the lead role as Prince, the eldest son of the Chakkalakkal family. The story revolves around his personal journey as the only unmarried member in a family otherwise surrounded by love and companionship. As Prince navigates the ups and downs of singlehood, the film explores whether he will finally find his match.
Joining Dileep on screen are Dhyan Sreenivasan, Meenakshi, Mahima Nambiar, Siddique, Urvashi, Aswin Jose, Bindu Panicker, Manju Pillai, Johny Antony, and Vineeth Thattil David, among others. Dhyan plays Jince, while Meenakshi and Mahima portray Anna and Jessy - Prince's love interest and ex-love interest, respectively. The film was shot over 85 days across various locations, including Ooty, Kozhikode, and Ernakulam. Renadive handled the cinematography, while Sagar Dass took charge of editing. The music was composed by Sanal Dev, with lyrics penned by Vinayak Sasikumar and Manu Manjith.
Behind the scenes, the production team includes co-producer Justin Stephen, executive producer Naveen P. Thomas, and a broad support crew responsible for the film's design, costumes, choreography, and post-production. The film was distributed by Magic Frames Release.
Dileep starrer Prince And Family has released in theatres today, on May 9, 2025. The Malayalam film is about Prince Chakkalakkal, who is the oldest son of a family in a small town in Kerala's rural central Travancore. The man is thought to be the most eligible bachelor in his community and was raised in a mediocre Christian home, but he hasn't found the right person yet.
So far, Prince And Family has received good reviews on X. The family entertainer seems to have entertained the audience. One user tweeted, "A perfect emotional-family entertainer is here, guys #PrinceAndFamily was so good with its technical side and with the script's soul too… fresh content with good humour numbers and emotional connection. Director Binto Stephen has done a good job, undoubtedly. Go for it." Another user wrote, "Prince and Family is a hilarious and heartfelt comedy-drama, with a story that resonates today and a stellar debut by director Binto Stephen. The actress’s captivating performance and Sanal Dev’s vibrant score elevate it into a fun family watch!"
As the film continues to receive attention, it is clear that Dileep's return to the silver screen has sparked enthusiasm among fans and critics alike. With its mix of comedy, emotion, and family dynamics, Prince and Family is poised to make a significant impact in the Malayalam film industry.
