The biggest attraction in the posters of Bharathan was definitely the title of Madhu Muttom, who by creating Manichithrathaazhu, a decade ago has become a well known name in the circuit. But on seeing the film, the biggest of the flaws was also definitely the script which didn't workout as per its claims. And with subtitles like Myth meets science and the first science fiction, the film definitely must have created the cinematic envelope and bring a savvy freshness to Malayalam cinema, hitherto unexplored. But the film mysteriously titled Bharathan effect in the screens has not eyed anything exceptional other than the central plot, and would have worked better if it was promoted as a children's film!

Bharathan is a genius, a thinker. Invention is in his blood. He is a college lecturer doing research. He spends all his time immersed in his work in the lab attached to his house. Most times he is hardly aware of what goes on around him. He is often the laughing stock of the people around, but he is not aware of that either, or doesn't care. His wife Geetha is upset about all this, but there is little she can do. The only one who can understand Bharathan is Thankachan, a brilliant student.

Though some of Bharathan's inventions have the potential to revolutionize current practices, he is erratic and leaves them incomplete, moving on to the next project. Though the scientific community recognizes his genius, the fact that he keeps flitting from project to project without completing any, leaves them confused. Others take up and complete many of the projects he abandoned and make money, but Bharathan is not bothered. But in the process his intellectual pursuit, he slowly slips into insanity. Or does he? Is it an unheeding society that labels him insane?

The film has Biju Menon playing Bharathan, a genius inventor, who lives with his wife Geetha. He is always around inventions with little care on what happens around him. Living in a rented house owned by Karia, he spends most of his time immersed in his work in the lab attached to his house. He never sticks to any particular job, which lands his family in deep financial troubles. His wife Geetha is upset about all this, but little could she do to avoid his husband from becoming the laughing stock of many who don't understand him. The few people who come with helping hands are Thankachan, one of his students in the tuition centre and Peter, who goes around finding him new jobs. Bharathan who tries to invent many new devices and gadgets creates one that could be used to clean and sweep the courtyard and also to pluck coconuts and fruits from palms and trees. Geetha, who usually is irritated by Bharathan's obsession with such things, is quite impressed by this invention.