'Ninnila Ninnila', which is currently streaming on ZeePlex on a pay-per-view basis, is bankrolled by BVSN Prasad. Here is our review of the OTT release.

Story:

Dev (Ashok Selvan) is a chef with amazing levels of intuition. He works in a London-based restaurant owned by an old man (Nasser). His colleague Tara (Ritu Varma) befriends him. In no time, they end up sharing their fears and respective stories. Nithya Menen's character Maya enters the screen in a surreal way.

The rest of the film is about how the Dev-Tara duo makes peace with their respective pasts and starts a new life.

Analysis:

Director Ani I.V. Sasi is a newcomer. For a debutant's movie, 'Ninnila Ninnila' is heart-felt enough to impress the audience and feel-good enough to be watched with adequate expectations. Despite there being a tragedy and a heart-burn moment or two, the film's overall mood is not intense. It's light on the audience's heart.

The film is essentially told as Dev's story. But it eventually progresses into the story of Tara and Maya, too. In London, Dev is in anticipation of a creative (?) life as a chef. Much to his shock (which he doesn't make obvious overtly), he is asked to do the cleaning job in the restaurant. On the other hand, Tara is fine with her tasks. They both get stuck in cold storage, a night that changes their lives forever.

The film's epicurean delights are a special feature. The many foods draw the audience into its world. It's because of his excellent culinary skills that Dev is where he is today. And this is not a footnote but is shown with the utmost respect to food per se.

There is something poetic about Nithya Menen's character. People call it surreal. And it's surreal in a delightful way. There is an oddity that 'Ninnila Ninnila' brandishes with so much confidence - to a welcome effect. It helps that the film cuts away to a flashback after the interval.

Nasser doesn't speak much but makes sure we understand what he is going through. The same can be said about Ashok Selvan, too. The young actor, who had to be pot-bellied for the role, makes you root for him. The story behind his sudden muscle spasms has its own twist.

Ritu Varma's character has got Obsessive Compulsive Disorder. While the depiction is not over-the-top, one feels there was no need to show the female lead that way. Does Tara have to have some 'defect' so that she doesn't look too out of place opposite an unfashionable man whom most young girls would see as a boring uncle?
 
The last 20 minutes are organic and nothing feels forced. Thanks to Rajesh Murugesan's background music, which is as warm as the profound songs, the proceedings have a calming effect. Divakar Mani, whose distinct knack for frames is commendable, reveals his strengths all over again.

The performances are among the biggest hits of the movie. Nithya Menen's flippant behaviour is endearing. She doesn't look like an overbearing presence in Dev's life and that says a lot about the superb writing. Satya, the comedian, has a small role and his 'gaalis' to an English man are hilarious.

Verdict:

'Ninnila Ninnila' is a soulful love story. It makes for a clean watch with your family.