This Ustad Hotel review looks back at one of the most comforting Malayalam films of the 2010s. Released in 2012, Anwar Rasheed’s film follows a young man who dreams of becoming an international chef but ends up working at his grandfather’s small restaurant on Kozhikode beach. Written by Anjali Menon and starring Dulquer Salmaan, Thilakan and Nithya Menen, it is a film about food, family, kindness and finding real purpose. More than a decade later, it still feels fresh and deeply human.
Key Points
- Directed by Anwar Rasheed and written by Anjali Menon.
- Dulquer Salmaan plays Faizi; Thilakan plays his grandfather Karim.
- It won National Awards for Best Popular Film and Best Dialogue.
- The film is set around Kozhikode beach and its famous food culture.
Table of Contents
Story
Faizi grows up as the only son among several sisters, raised by a strict father who wants him to become a successful businessman. Secretly, Faizi studies cooking abroad, and when his family discovers this, a bitter fight follows. With his passport taken away and his marriage plans ruined, he ends up in Kozhikode at Ustad Hotel, the small beachside restaurant run by his grandfather, Karim Ikka. At first he sees it only as a temporary stop on the way to a career in Europe.
Slowly, Karim teaches Faizi that cooking is not just about recipes but about filling hearts. Through regular customers, struggling workers and a mysterious charitable mission, Faizi learns what food can mean to people who have nothing. Any honest Ustad Hotel review must praise how gently the story moves from comedy to emotion without becoming preachy, and how the final act gives Faizi’s journey real meaning.
Performances
In this Ustad Hotel review, we must start with Dulquer Salmaan, who, early in his career, brings charm and vulnerability to Faizi. He is believable as a confused young man torn between ambition and family. Thilakan, in one of his final major roles, is magnificent as Karim. His warmth, humour and wisdom make every scene memorable, especially the moments where he explains the philosophy of his famous sulaimani tea. The bond between grandfather and grandson is the emotional heart of the film.
Nithya Menen plays Shahana, a spirited woman who was supposed to marry Faizi, and their scenes add lightness and romance. Siddique is excellent as Faizi’s stern father, Razak, whose pride hides real love. Mamukkoya and other supporting actors fill Ustad Hotel with Kozhikode warmth. Our Ustad Hotel review finds the ensemble so natural that the restaurant feels like a real place you could walk into.
Ustad Hotel at a Glance
| Detail | Information |
|---|---|
| Release | 2012 |
| Director | Anwar Rasheed |
| Writer | Anjali Menon |
| Lead actors | Dulquer Salmaan, Thilakan, Nithya Menen |
| Music | Gopi Sundar |
| Setting | Kozhikode beach |
| National Awards | Best Popular Film, Best Dialogue |
Food, Music and Kozhikode
As every Ustad Hotel review notes, the film celebrates Kozhikode’s famous food culture: biryani, kozhikodan halwa, beach snacks and, above all, sulaimani tea. Food scenes are shot with such love that many viewers left theatres hungry. Gopi Sundar’s music, including the popular “Appangal Embadum”, adds to the festive mood. The beach, old streets and busy kitchens of Kozhikode become characters in themselves, giving the film a strong sense of place that few Malayalam films achieve.
Cinematographer Lokanathan captures the city with warm colours and lively energy. Kitchen sequences are fast and detailed, showing the craft and teamwork of cooking. This Ustad Hotel review especially admires how the film links food to emotion: every dish carries memories, relationships and care. It is no surprise that the film inspired many young Keralites to look at cooking and hospitality as respectable careers rather than fallback options.
Where to Watch
Before ending this Ustad Hotel review, a note on availability. The film has been available on major streaming platforms in India, and it is frequently shown on Malayalam television channels, especially during festival seasons. Availability can change, so check your preferred platform for current listings. Watching it with subtitles works well for non-Malayali viewers, because the emotions and food scenes need little translation. Many readers who found this Ustad Hotel review useful also enjoy rewatching the film with family.
Themes That Stay With You
For this Ustad Hotel review, the themes matter as much as the food. The film explores generational conflict, parental expectations and the meaning of success. Faizi’s father measures success by money and status, while Karim measures it by how many people you help. The film quietly asks which kind of success truly matters. Its message about feeding the hungry and serving with humility feels even more relevant today, in a world obsessed with fame and quick profits.
Awards and Legacy
At the National Film Awards, Ustad Hotel won the award for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment, and Anjali Menon won Best Dialogue. The film was a major commercial success and strengthened Dulquer Salmaan’s position as a leading young star. It is also remembered as one of Thilakan’s last great performances before his death in 2012. Read more about the legend in our Dulquer Salmaan movies guide and related lists.
What Could Be Better
No Ustad Hotel review is complete without small criticisms. A few early family scenes stretch longer than needed, and the romantic track could have been explored more. Some viewers also feel the final charity subplot resolves too neatly. However, these are minor issues in a film that delivers so much warmth, humour and meaning. Most audiences remember the emotion, the food and Karim’s wisdom far more than any flaw.
Frequently Asked Questions
Who directed Ustad Hotel?
The film was directed by Anwar Rasheed and written by Anjali Menon.
What awards did Ustad Hotel win?
It won National Awards for Best Popular Film Providing Wholesome Entertainment and Best Dialogue.
Where is Ustad Hotel set?
The story is set mainly around Kozhikode beach in Kerala.
Who plays Karim Ikka in Ustad Hotel?
The legendary actor Thilakan plays Karim, Faizi’s grandfather.
Conclusion
Our Ustad Hotel review verdict: this is a warm, beautifully written film that celebrates food, family and kindness. Dulquer Salmaan’s charm, Thilakan’s unforgettable performance and Anjali Menon’s heartfelt script make it essential viewing for every Malayalam film lover. Watch it with family, preferably with a cup of sulaimani. For more feel-good films, see our feel good Malayalam movies list and read the film’s details on Wikipedia.
