Drushyam: Gripping narrative
Hyderabad: The original version in Malayalam already made waves. Jeethu Joseph sure has a complete command on the subject matter and has created a near franchise without much ado. Unlike the mainstream Bollywood series like ‘Dhoom’ and ‘Singham’ or the ‘Hera Pheri’ type, this filmmaker does not work around the presentation as much as he […]
Hyderabad: The original version in Malayalam already made waves. Jeethu Joseph sure has a complete command on the subject matter and has created a near franchise without much ado. Unlike the mainstream Bollywood series like ‘Dhoom’ and ‘Singham’ or the ‘Hera Pheri’ type, this filmmaker does not work around the presentation as much as he concentrates on the story and its flow. The film has already been viewed by a large section of non-Malayalam film goers on the regular circuit.
To those who have walked in late or even woke up now, ‘Drushyam’ dealt with a middle-class family where the child’s night-out picnic goes awry leading to the killing of the son of a high-ranking police official. The middle-class family hides the body of the victim. ‘Drushyam’ ends with the family escaping the hands of the law.
Years later, Rambabu (Venkatesh) and his family have moved to a more affluent scenario. However, the police have not closed the case. While Prabhakar (Naresh) and Geetha (Nadhiya) – parents of the victims still continue to reach out to Rambabu, he ensures complete ignorance. We now have in the neighbourhood Sanjay (Satyam Rajesh) and his wife Saritha (Suja Varunee). Sanjay is a wife-beating alcoholic.
Rambabu now hopes to make a film and reaches out to Vinay Chandra (Tanikella Bharani). Meanwhile, investigating the matter is the new inspector Prathap (Vinay Varma) and thirsting for blood is IG Goutham (Sampath Raj). Moving in the lines of a tale that would make Agatha Christie proud, Jeethu Joseph ensures a perfect thriller is in place. The two-hour or more in the narrative could get crisper by doing away with songs and a few scenes. However, given the mechanics of our cinema, this is surely acceptable.
Apart from a tight script and a well-navigated narrative that has its customary twists and turns, it is particularly noteworthy that these twists and turns are smooth and fluid and not sharp and contrived. If anything from the crew could have been better, the editor’s scissor could have been sharper.
The cast is ever efficient. Unlike in ‘Drushyam’, Nadhiya has a very minor role. It is disappointing to see Meena carrying a theatric expression. It is not easy to play a role already essayed by a maestro like Mohanlal. Surprisingly, this is the highlight of ‘Drushyam 2’. Sampath as the law-enforcing agency on the prowl is brilliant.
From the word go, Venkatesh is a class act. He weathers the challenges both of the compare and from the script with complete command. The light-hearted domestic man is in perfect sync with the doting parent, the light-hearted spouse, the steaming criminal, the caring caretaker and the alert accused. All hues are mixed to perfection.
This, at least in a regional context, is one of the best performances from a Telugu actor. It reflects not just understanding the character but also reflects a star’s metamorphosis into actor of substance. Kudos to Venkatesh. This is a haunting performance from a mainstream actor. It is a definite takeaway.
‘Drsuhyam 2’ is as much a Jeethu Joseph achievement as it is a Venkatesh glory. Unhesitatingly recommended! Watch an enjoyable mainstream film which appeals without throwing aspersion on your intelligence.
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