When A Knee Decides To Stop

There comes a point when the body simply refuses to continue the way it used to. For a rider who never questioned his strength, that moment came without any drama. One morning the knee could handle long distances and heavy machines, and the next it could not even manage a simple jump during badminton. The diagnosis came later. A high grade ACL tear. Not from the game, but from years of riding, the constant pressure, the weight of the bike that slowly pushed the ligament past its limit.

Life changed immediately after hearing that. Movements that used to be instinctive now required planning. Getting out of bed, sitting down, climbing a few steps, even shifting weight from one leg to the other, everything demanded extra care. There was no comfort in routine anymore. Nothing felt stable. The knee acted on its own terms, and he had no control over how long it would behave. People spoke casually about recovery, about patience, but none of them understood what it meant to live with a leg that could collapse at any moment.

Meanwhile a fall came out of nowhere. A small slip on a smooth floor. The knee buckled instantly. The pain was so sharp that he had to grab onto whatever he could find just to keep himself conscious. It was the kind of pain that empties the lungs, that makes the world fade for a moment. After that fear settled in. Every step felt risky. Every corner felt unsafe. The second fall was worse. It happened on a wet patch of floor he did not notice. One small step, one slight shift, and his foot slid out. The knee collapsed instantly, sending him crashing down before he could react. The pain spread so fast that he could not speak for a few seconds. He just stayed there on the cold ground, holding his leg, trying to breathe through the shock. That moment stayed with him forever, because it showed how quickly the body can leave a person helpless.

Waiting for surgery only stretched everything further. No improvement, no relief, just long days of managing pain and long nights where the knee pulsed for no clear reason. The bike remained parked. People kept asking when he would ride again. He had no answer. He did not even know when he could walk across a room without feeling nervous of slipping or hitting an object. 

Some days he tried to act normal. He tried to stand a little longer, walk a little faster, or pretend the pain was manageable. But the knee never let him forget. It forced him to slow down. It showed him that even basic movements could not be trusted anymore. He felt stuck, not just physically but also mentally, watching the simplest tasks become challenges he never imagined facing.

Strength stopped mattering. The only thing that mattered was getting through each day without another fall, without another wave of pain that made the room spin. It became a daily test of staying steady, staying calm and staying upright.

Every night ended the same way. The knee throbbed. The body felt drained from doing almost nothing. And the mind drifted through thoughts that were painful than the injury itself. Some days felt manageable. Most did not. And through all of it, he moved forward in the only way he could, slow and unstable, trying to stay functional in a body that refused to cooperate.

A life balanced on one unstable knee held together by discomfort, fear and the stubborn need to survive the day. A life that continues forward even when everything feels as if it is barely holding on. A life.

Dies Irae Review

"Dies Irae” arrives as one of the most anticipated Malayalam films of the year, bringing together a strong cast led by Pranav Mohanlal along with supporting performances from Sushmita bhat, Ghibin, Jaya kurup, Arjun and others. The film is directed by the talented Rahul Sadasivan with music composed by Christo Xavier and cinematography handled by Shehnad Jalal. The writing has the director’s signature touch, and the film released this month with expectations already high among fans and critics who follow Rahul's craft.

The story begins with a slight unease that slowly spreads through a small community, as strange events begin to take shape around them. A sense of dread grows through the eyes of Pranav’s character who gets pulled into something larger darker and much older than he can comprehend. The film builds its mystery step by step without revealing too much at once and halfway through the tone shifts into something more intense. 

Acting wise the entire cast delivers a fantastic performance. Pranav Mohanlal rises above all his previous work, and truly stands out with a controlled expressive and mature portrayal that shows how far he has grown as an actor. Sushmita, Ghibin, Jaya and the rest of the cast contribute solid performances that hold the film together.

The writing, screenplay and cinematography are where the film shines the most. The plot may not be unfamiliar, but the way it is executed makes it feel fresh. The locations the sets and the prosthetics add an eerie authenticity to the world. The frames feel alive with detail and the visual tone pulls you into a surreal and almost dreamlike experience. The horror sequences and the moments involving blood or tension are executed with stunning realism, and the craft behind each of these scenes shows a team working at the top of their game.

The music and sound department elevate the film even further. The background score stays in your head, and the sound design is sharp atmospheric and extremely effective. Every distant knock, every step and every rising note adds to the fear. For a horror film sound plays a major role, and the team clearly understood that. The limited use of songs also works well as it keeps the tone steady and prevents any shift in mood.

Even though the film is technically brilliant it does not completely justify the horror genre. The number of jumpscares is low and the plot feels familiar even with its strong execution. There is a presence of fear, but it does not fully grip the viewer the way one might expect, especially when compared to the director’s earlier films which set a different standard altogether. As a result the film falls slightly short in terms of pure horror impact.

But overall it remains a decent and well crafted watch with strong performances and exceptional technical work.

Rating: 7/10 ⭐️

EKO Review

"EKO" brings together an amazing cast led by Sandeep Pradeep and Biana Momin with powerful support from Vineeth, Narain, Saurabh Sachdeva and Binu Pappu. Directed by Dinjith Ayyathan and written and shot by Bahul Ramesh the film continues the same team’s creative run after Kishkinda Kandam. Mujeeb Majeed handles the music and Sooraj E S takes care of the editing. The film got released on 21 November 2025.

The story begins in a village where Kuriachan known for his bond with dogs suddenly disappears. The tension rises as Mlathi, a woman who carries an air of mystery starts showing an unnatural control over the animals. Peeyoos moves through a world where fear suspicion and half truths blur together. The film slowly shifts into a space where no one is sure what is real and what is imagined. Beyond this point the plot opens up in layers best experienced directly without knowing too much ahead.

The acting holds the film steady. Sandeep gives Peeyoos an honest vulnerability that makes his fear and confusion feel real. Biana Momin plays her role with strength and restraint. Vineeth, Narain and Saurabh Sachdeva deliver grounded performances that add weight to every scene. Mlathi becomes centre of the film, and the absence of Kuriachan creates a tension that the actors communicate without emotion.

The cinematography by Bahul Ramesh builds the entire mood of the story with its Alluring frames and slow movements. The House and the location feels alive yet distant, as if holding secrets in every empty space. The screenplay stays intact and confident never rushing a moment and allowing the silences to shape the fear. The world feels controlled and carefully crafted, which gives the film its distinct edge.

The music by Mujeeb Majeed blends into the narrative without overpowering it, and the sound design creates an atmosphere that is both calm and chaos. The footsteps, the distant barks and the silent hum of the environment work together to make the tension feel organic. The score slowly tightens around the viewer and becomes one of the strongest parts of the film.

Eko stands out because it trusts its pace and its world. It does not spoon feed explanations and it does not treat the viewer lightly. The film grows in silence, builds fear through suggestion and gives space for interpretation. It has the confidence of a team that understands atmosphere and emotions and rewards anyone who watches with patience.

Rating: 9/10⭐️