There is one section of audience who are well-informed about a movie. In this case, this section knows quite well that it is a suspense thriller movie and a remake of a Malayalam movie starring Mohan Lal. Their awareness of the genre could make their movie-watching experience a little less than exciting. Then there is the majority, who are thinking of 'Drushyam' as another 'Sankranthi' from their favourite star (no matter how much the makers tell them that it is a suspense thriller). Usually, the latter section should dislike a movie that dishes out something dissimilar to what they had expected. But, in all probability, 'Drishyam' will prove to be an unusual success, not in terms of revenues, but in the sense that it will be lapped up even by those who expected to see a melodramatic movie.
And with 'Victory' Venkatesh playing a role where the star is completely overshadowed by the role, the audience can't ask for more. Not a picture perfect 'drishyam' by any stretch of imagination, this one makes a gripping watch.
The film begins as a conventional family drama of the kind we saw in the 1990s. As in those films, Rambabu (Venkatesh) is a middle-class husband who is taunted by his aspirational wife with friendly banter. The children (one in her early teen age, the other in her pre-teen age) have nothing more than a desire to holiday in the nearby town for a day and come back home after having an ice-cream. (The wife Meena's reference to Mahesh Babu's ways of looking after Namrata Shirodkar and the elder daughter's reference to a weekly smack of the 90s flavour for sure). The film veers into a different trajectory when the elder daughter (played by Kritika Jayakumar) has to face the harassment of a criminal-minded lecher.
The calm and peaceful lives of Rambabu and his family are shattered from this stage. How Rambabu rises to the occasion and cunningly hoodwinks the system to bail out himself and his family forms the rest of the story.
The biggest strength of 'Drushyam' is not its genre, but the fact that an excellent screenplay has been written around too less characters (for a movie of this genre) and without sub plots and the like. 'Drushyam' is edge-of-the-seat, but it doesn't demand the audience to connect the threads.
Venkatesh's characterization triggers interest in the story rather inventively. He is an avid movie buff and seems to have developed the cunning by watching too many movies. One day he learns about 'Habeas Corpus' writ from watching a movie, another day he gets into romantic mode with his wife after watching a raunchy Bollywood number. He recently watched Siddharth-starrer 'NH4' and behold, a lesson he picked up from the film helps him save his family from the worst nightmare! One can see that Venky thoughtfully molded himself for the character in a mature fashion. His body language is measured, his facial moves are brilliant. Be it the attitude he throws up in the presence of cops or the way he helps his beloved ones live through the toughest times, he is a treat to watch. In comparison, however, Meena stops making an impression after a point. In an almost dreadful condition, she doesn't emote like a lover girl who becomes devastated as her brothers are beating up her innocent lover boy (read Chanti). After a point, the film starts relying more on the plot and the investigation that involves Nadiya (in the role of an IG) and her husband Naresh, together with Ravi Kale (in a well-performed role).
The investigation part has been superbly handled, with Nadiya taking the lead in carrying the film on her shoulders for some time. Although the audience is aware that Rambabu is hoodwinking the system, Nadiya telling that Rambabu is more clever than the cops can understand has the effect of introducing a new Rambabu to us. Malayali and Tamil filmmakers have this knack for doing research more thoroughly than their Telugu counterparts. Thus, when polygraph test is suggested by a constable, Nadiya chides him professionally, saying "Evarayya neeku police udhyogam ichindi." Right to be protected from self-incrimination is a fundamental right and the writer is using this to enrich his screenplay.
The family's trauma is well-crafted, barring a few glitches here and there. A haunting number in Rambabu's mind is one example. Another example is the three females of the family staring at the sight that can seal their fate.
As mentioned already, this is one of the best of Venky's performances. He once again proves that he is a seasoned actor, who can effortlessly get into the skin of his character. Meena looks beautiful enough. Kritika and Baby Esther fit the bill.
The technical departments do a good job. Be it the BGM or the cinematography, everything is slick and apt.
Verdict: An unconventional film, this film is refreshing as it is not formulaic. Above all, it is gripping and keeps you hooked throughout.
Rating: 3.5/5
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