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{{Short description|2022 Malayalam film}}
{{Use dmy dates|date=June 2025}}
{{Use Indian English|date=August 2022}}
{{Infobox film
| name = Dear Friend
| image = Dear Friend (2022 film).jpg
| alt =
| caption =
| native_name = 
| director = [[Vineeth Kumar]]
| writer = [[Suhas-Sharfu]] [[Arjun Lal]]
| screenplay =
| story =
| based_on = 
| producer = [[Shyju Khalid]] [[Sameer Thahir]] [[Ashiq Usman]]
| starring = [[Tovino Thomas]] [[Darshana Rajendran]] [[Basil Joseph]] [[Arjun Radhakrishnan]] Arjun Lal
| narrator =
| cinematography = Shyju Khalid
| editing = Deepu Joseph
| music = [[Justin Varghese]]
| studio = Happyhours Entertainment [[Ashiq Usman|Ashiq Usman Productions]]
| distributor = 
| released = {{Film date|df=yes|2022|6|10}}
| runtime =
| country = India
| language = Malayalam
}}
'''''Dear Friend''''' is a 2022 Indian [[Malayalam cinema|Malayalam]]-language [[thriller film]] directed by [[Vineeth Kumar]]. The film stars [[Tovino Thomas]], [[Darshana Rajendran]], [[Basil Joseph]], [[Arjun Radhakrishnan]] and [[Arjun Lal]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-trailer-tovino-thomas-starrer-is-all-about-friends-family-and-fun/articleshow/91807684.cms |title='Dear Friend' trailer: Tovino Thomas starrer is all about friends, family, and fun! |website=The Times of India |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615093508/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-trailer-tovino-thomas-starrer-is-all-about-friends-family-and-fun/articleshow/91807684.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-teaser-tovino-thomas-plays-the-dearie/articleshow/91509883.cms |title='Dear Friend' teaser: Tovino Thomas plays the dearie |website=The Times of India |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=13 May 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220513193500/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-teaser-tovino-thomas-plays-the-dearie/articleshow/91509883.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-teaser-2-the-camaraderie-is-heart-warming/articleshow/92051923.cms |title='Dear Friend' teaser 2: The camaraderie is heart-warming |website=The Times of India |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=14 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220614062159/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/dear-friend-teaser-2-the-camaraderie-is-heart-warming/articleshow/92051923.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> The film was released on 10 June 2022, and was a [[box office failure]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tovino-thomas-basil-joseph-starrer-dear-friend-to-hit-screens-on-june-10/articleshow/91118673.cms |title=Tovino Thomas - Basil Joseph starrer 'Dear Friend' to hit screens on June 10 |website=The Times of India |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=28 April 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220428054245/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tovino-thomas-basil-joseph-starrer-dear-friend-to-hit-screens-on-june-10/articleshow/91118673.cms |url-status=live}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tovinos-dear-friend-to-lock-horns-with-nivin-paulys-thuramukham-in-june/articleshow/91936678.cms |title=Tovino's 'Dear Friend' to lock horns with Nivin Pauly's 'Thuramukham' in June |website=The Times of India |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=9 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220609084813/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movies/news/tovinos-dear-friend-to-lock-horns-with-nivin-paulys-thuramukham-in-june/articleshow/91936678.cms |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Plot ==
Six friends (Vinod, Jannath, Arjun, Shyam, Sajith and Amutha) are celebrating Vinod's birthday. Vinod is dared to wear a homemade [[superman]] costume while roaming the city.

While celebrating in a club, the group get into a physical altercation with a passer-by who was [[livestreaming]] Vinod in the costume without his consent, leading to their arrests. The police officer mocks Vinod's tattoos, one of which reads '‘AMMA’' in [[Malayalam]]. Vinod is slapped by the interrogating officer for retaliating. Embarrassed by this, he tells Jannath that this was his most memorable birthday.

Jannath struggles to be accepted by her conservative father, who disapproves of her relationship with Arjun; knowing that they won't get his blessing, the couple have a courthouse wedding. Arjun, Vinod, Shyam, and Sajith are aiming to earn financial backing for a health-based app that they are developing. While Shyam comes from a well-off family, he does not wish to join his family business of running a pub. Sajith comes from a financially struggling family; his minimal English and lack of social skills make it difficult for him to find job interviews.

One night, while the group are partying at a club, Arjun spikes Vinod's drink, leading to Vinod, who was abstaining from alcohol that day due to his mother's death anniversary, shoving him. After leaving the club, he is followed by Amutha who confesses her love for him, however he does not reciprocate.

Later on, Vinod visits Jannath at the medical practice she works in, and confesses to having many unresolved feelings about his mother's death. The pair have a heartfelt conversation. One morning, the group are unable to find Vinod who has left behind a letter revealing that he doesn't want to be searched and thanks them for the memories they created. Jannath initially believes that Vinod is playing a joke and is simply getting revenge on them for humiliating him on his birthday. However, the group are visited by police officers who take them in for questioning, and it becomes clear to the group that the situation is serious.

The police suspect Vinod of being a thief, claiming that he has stolen {{INR}}70 [[lakh]]s from a company he previously worked for. Jannath believes that the whole situation must be a misunderstanding, and Shyam is angered at being deceived by his alleged business partner.

The group learn that Vinod did not record pieces of music that he claimed were his, and find out about many lies he had told them. They then go to Mumbai and meet the original musician, Sreenath, who reveals the truth. Vinod and Sreenath were roommates, and Vinod had helped Sreenath, who was unable to cope after his mother had died after battling cancer, through registering him on a [[matrimonial website]]. He then suddenly disappeared, and the following morning, the police question Sreenath about stolen money.

The group then discover that Vinod's mother is in fact alive, and due to Vinod's estrangement from her, she believes that he is dead. However, after having failed to locate Vinod; they return home and carry on with their lives. Things eventually become better for the group: Jannath and Arjun are expecting a baby, Sajith secures a well-paying job, and Shyam has taken over his family business.

One day, Sajith spots Vinod parking a car on a street. He calls Jannath, Arjun, and Shyam, however the latter is still upset at Vinod, however Jannath and Arjun agree to meet Sajith at the spot where he saw Vinod. They wait until late at night for Vinod to reappear, and follow him to an apartment complex. Sajith, Arjun, and Jannath confront Vinod, who reveals that he is the run from the police, who are still searching for him. He also reveals that he lied about his mother's death to hide his past. Jannath asks Vinod about whether he is lying about his identity; to which Vinod points to the ‘Mother’ tattoo on his arm, claiming that the same story works every time.

== Cast ==
{{Cast listing|
*[[Tovino Thomas]] as Vinod
*[[Darshana Rajendran]] as Jannath
*[[Basil Joseph]] as Sajith
*[[Arjun Radhakrishnan]] as Shyam
*[[Arjun Lal]] as Arjun
*[[Sanchana Natarajan]] as Amutha
*[[Rekha Harris|Rekha]] as Vijayakumari Viswanathan
*[[Vishak Nair]] as Shyam's brother
*[[Jaffar Idukki]] as Jannath's father
*[[Assim Jamal]] as Shyam's lawyer
*[[Hakim Shahjahan]] as Sreenath
}}

==Production ==
The film's story is inspired by Arjun Lal's experiences in [[Bengaluru]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/actor-and-filmmaker-vineeth-kumar-on-his-second-film-dear-friend/article65502876.ece |title='Dear Friend' has a different take on friendship, says director Vineeth Kumar |first=Athira |last=M |newspaper=The Hindu |date=7 June 2022 |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=16 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616165343/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/actor-and-filmmaker-vineeth-kumar-on-his-second-film-dear-friend/article65502876.ece |url-status=live}}</ref>

== Reception ==
[[Anna M. M. Vetticad]] of ''[[Firstpost]]'' wrote, “''Dear Friend'' is matter of fact yet intriguing, and the finale is nicely open-ended. “<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/dear-friend-movie-review-intriguing-blend-of-buddy-flick-thriller-and-psychological-profile-10909441.html |title=Dear Friend movie review: Intriguing blend of buddy flick, thriller and psychological profile |author=Anna M. M. Vetticad |website=Firstpost |date=14 July 2022}}</ref> She ranked it tenth on her year-end list of best Malayalam films for the publication.<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.firstpost.com/entertainment/best-malayalam-films-2022-a-year-so-good-that-keeping-this-list-down-to-10-was-impossible-11875531.html |title=Best Malayalam Films 2022: A year so good that keeping this list down to 10 was impossible |author=Anna M. M. Vetticad |website=Firstpost |date=26 December 2022}}</ref> Cris of ''[[The News Minute]]'' wrote that "But for the abruptness of the ending which makes you feel a little cheated, the film is a cosy and engaging watch".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dear-friend-review-darshana-tovino-film-cosy-and-engaging-watch-164841 |title=Dear Friend review: Darshana-Tovino film is a cosy and engaging watch |author=Cris |work=The News Minute |date=10 June 2022 |access-date=2022-07-04 |archive-date=2022-06-15 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615064710/https://www.thenewsminute.com/article/dear-friend-review-darshana-tovino-film-cosy-and-engaging-watch-164841 |url-status=live}}</ref> S. R. Praveen of ''[[The Hindu]]'' wrote that "Filmmaker Vineeth Kumar's second outing has an interesting premise, but what the film serves in the end — after all the painful work of building the suspense — is quite disappointing".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dear-friend-movie-review-tovino-thomas-drama-wastes-a-promising-build-up/article65514185.ece |title='Dear Friend' movie review: Tovino Thomas' drama wastes a promising build-up |author=S. R. Praveen |work=The Hindu |date=10 June 2022 |access-date=2022-07-04 |archive-date=2022-06-23 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220623223524/https://www.thehindu.com/entertainment/movies/dear-friend-movie-review-tovino-thomas-drama-wastes-a-promising-build-up/article65514185.ece |url-status=live}}</ref> Anjana George of ''[[The Times of India]]'' said that "''Dear Friend'' is for those who cherish intimate friendships as an important part of the fabric of their life. Letting go, giving space and accepting individuals the way they are also part of bonding".<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/dear-friend/movie-review/92144849.cms |title=Dear Friend Movie Review : A story on urban friendships |work=The Times of India |author=Anjana George |access-date=2022-07-04 |archive-date=2022-06-16 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220616234438/https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/entertainment/malayalam/movie-reviews/dear-friend/movie-review/92144849.cms |url-status=live}}</ref> Sajin Srijith of ''[[The New Indian Express]]'' opined that "''Dear Friend'' is one of those films that should inspire young aspiring filmmakers who think out of the box because this is a work that screams simplicity".<ref>{{Cite web |url=https://www.newindianexpress.com/entertainment/review/2022/jun/11/offbeat-friendship-drama-bolstered-by-organic-performances-2464126.html |title=Dear Friend Movie Review: Offbeat friendship drama bolstered by organic performances |author=Sajin Srijith |work=The New Indian Express |date=11 June 2022 |access-date=4 July 2022 |archive-date=15 June 2022 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20220615095816/https://www.cinemaexpress.com/malayalam/review/2022/jun/10/dear-friend-movie-review-offbeat-friendship-drama-bolstered-by-organic-performances-32060.html |url-status=live}}</ref>

==References==
{{Reflist}}

== External links ==
* {{IMDb title|id=15373558}}

[[Category:2022 films]]
[[Category:2022 thriller films]]
[[Category:Indian thriller films]]
[[Category:2022 Malayalam-language films]]
[[Category:Films about friendship]]
[[Category:Films shot in Bengaluru]]
[[Category:Films scored by Justin Varghese]]

Dear Friend (2022 film) - Revision history

Murmupp: Starting A Stub - done