Sookshmadarshini Movie Review: The Malayalam film industry is known for its diverse stories and characters. The directors and producers there are achieving huge box office success by unexpectedly telling a concept. The resulting film is ‘Sookshma Darshini’. Made on a very low budget, this movie has collected more than Rs. 50 crores. It is now streaming on OTT platforms.
Sookshmadarshini Movie Story:
Priya (Nazriya Nazim) is very curious to know what is happening around her. She has a happy life with her husband and a young child. Manuel (Basil Joseph) brings her to her hometown to recover from her illness. Priya’s family lives in the house next to him.
Within a few days of Manuel’s arrival, Priya notices that his behavior is a bit strange. If she tells her husband the same thing, he will warn him not to interfere in unnecessary matters. Priya does not listen. One night, Manuel's mother disappears.
Based on the CCTV footage, the police immediately find her and bring her in. Everyone on the street knows that she left home because of her dementia (Alzheimer's). However, Priya's suspicions grow stronger that Manuel's mother does not have Alzheimer's and that something is different in his house.
A few days after this incident, Manuel's mother disappears again. And how was she found this time? Was Alzheimer's really the reason why she left home? Did something unexpected happen in Manuel's house as Priya suspected? That is the story of the film.
Sookshmadarshini Movie Analysis:
Rather than knowing what is happening in our house, we are more curious to know what is happening next door. If it becomes a habit, that man cannot sleep at all. This is a must for those who live in villages. That is why director Jithin chose a rural setting and made the point he wanted to entertain throughout.
The opening scenes move a bit slowly as the audience is introduced to the story world, the introduction of the characters, and their behavior. The entire film moves from Priya's perspective.
That is why when Priya suspects Manuel and his mother, the audience watching the film also gets curious to know what it is. But, the steps in that direction are a bit slow. The pace of the story increases only after Manuel's mother disappears. The suspicion against him strengthens.
After the police catch Manuel's mother and hand her over, we realize for a while, 'Oh..! We thought he was wrong.' Whether we think so or not, Manuel's next move is, 'He is doing something... I need to know what it is, doubling the interest of both Priya and the audience watching the movie in front of the screen.
In this sequence, Priya tries to go into Manuel's house, knowing it, and the warning he gives, on the other hand, seeing the parting of her husband's lips, she takes a step back. But, her interest does not let her sleep at all. That is what motivates her to find out the real story.
Along with Priya, who unravels each and every mystery, the audience is left with nothing but surprise after knowing the truth. The last half hour of the movie gives a thrilling experience. The fun that comes from watching it on screen is different than telling it.
Actors Performance:
There is nothing special to say about Nazriya Nazim's acting. She is familiar to the Telugu audience with films like 'Raja Rani' and 'Ante Sundaranikki..' In this, she appeared on the screen with the same enthusiasm as a curious woman.
Basil Joseph, who entertains with diverse and humorous roles, has settled well in the role of Manuel. The rest of them are not very familiar to the Telugu audience, but they have settled well in their roles. (Sookshmadarshini Review Telugu) Manohari Joy, who played Manuel's mother in the role that turns the story around, has acted well.
Technically, all the departments have excelled well. The film was completed with a limited budget and limited locations, only as much as the story required. Director Jatin has succeeded in making the point he wanted to make a suspenseful one till the end.