An exotic locale, handsome men, beautiful damsels... there is that slick feel to Sachi's directorial debut 'Anarkali'. The movie was touted to be an out and out romantic entertainer. Romance is the crux of the narrative. A hero that gets expelled from the Navy because of his love, a 14 year wait; all of this points to a very intense love story.
However, the intensity is just skimmed through. There is no emotional depth to the love that Shanthanu (Prithviraj) and Nadira (Priyal Ghor) shares. A song sequences and few romance scenes finishes the deed. the story progresses through the life of Shanthanu. He has been trying to track down the love of his life for the past many years. He reaches Lakswadeep with the hope of meeting Nadira's brother played by Sudev Nair who works there. His friend Zacharia (Biju Menon) and the islanders help him in the endeavour.
There is much humour in the narrative with Biju Menon in his typical style does with ease. Even the climax has this humour. Right from the first, the script hints at mysterious happenings. This is revealed in bits and pieces as the movie progresses. The missing Nadira, the love story and the backdrop to what transpires in the fourteen years that they are apart is unraveled.
The script is cheesy and predictable in places and the slick feel becomes a bit too sticky. Humour has helped to tide over this. The cinematographer has has a field day, but that exotic eye is there which sometimes looks like a tourism ad for the pretty place.
Prithviraj looks dashing in his Navy as well as diving instructor roles. The lover boy act has been done well, though certain sentimental parts stick out. Priyal Ghor has really done well and she nails her role as the Nawabi girl well. Biju Menon takes the cake as the climax rolls, with that last scene written for him. All in all 'Anarkali' is a watchable movie, which can be a bit dull and insipid in places, as with the constant disappointment of the hero. This is Sachi's directorial debut and he has done pretty well, especially with the first half.
Rating - 2.5/5
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