Director A.K. Sundardas takes a bold step by casting comedian Harisree Asokan in the lead in a serious role in his new film "Akasham".

Scripted by T.A. Razak, the film narrates the story of a simple man who dreams of owning a house. Manoharan, played by Harisree Asokan, is a mechanic in an automobile showroom. He is sincere and hardworking and his boss's favourite.

He is also shown to be a nervous person with a split personality.

A loner, Manoharan is only concerned about his work and his family, which includes his wife (played by Jyothirmayi), his mother (K.P.A.C. Lalitha) and his two little daughters. Innocent plays the role of Manoharan's boss.

Everything is hunky-dory till the day when the sketch of a terror attack suspect, resembling our hero, is published in newspapers. A panicky Manoharan starts withdrawing from the world. What ensues thereafter forms the crux of this film.

The story by Razak tries to work at many levels, but how much of it is really convincing is the question that bothers the viewer, long after one has left the darkened theatre.

An attack in the temple town of Guruvayoor is vague and kept too much in the background. Manoharan getting worked up about the whole thing needed a little more padding.

The fact that these incidents lead to a convoluted climax leaves the audience in agony. Why don't the police take medical help when they know that Manoharan is suffering from schizophrenia?

Asokan tries his best to look natural and spontaneous but he fails.

Of the others in the cast, only Innocent can be said to have something worthwhile to do. Innocent brings his brand of charm to his character of a friend, philosopher and guide who has lost all happiness in life after his wife ditched him.

Jyothirmayi, Lalitha and others just go through the motions of acting. In the end, one can only say that "Akasham" began on a promising premise that failed in execution.