Confession is a virtue, undoubtedly. Gautham Vasudev Menon recently stated that his film could remind viewers of the Kamal-Sridevi film, Sigappu Rojakkal . But how can slipshod characterisation and passable performances be compared to the riveting screenplay and brilliant portrayals you witnessed in Bharatiraaja's psychological thriller? Sigappu Rojakkal is several notches above the just-released Nadunisi Naaygal (A). The striking, alliterative title may be literal or metaphorical, but the curiosity it kindles is real.
Samar, a motherless nine-year-old, undergoes untold torture at the hands of his sex-crazy father. The neighbour, Meenakshi (Swapna Abraham), takes pity on the hapless boy and probes into the happenings in the house. The findings shock her, the Law enters the scene and that's the end of the perverted dad. Meenakshi takes the traumatised Samar under her wing. But it is strange that it doesn't occur to her to seek the help of a psychologist for the boy!
Sadly, soon Meenakshi loses your respect and the boy whom she re-christens Veera, your sympathy. It is as though she's out of her mind, when she absolves him of the crime and pain he has inflicted on her — and for what? (Veera's contention is downright silly.) And once that happens, NN loses its hold on the viewer. Sometimes logic goes for a toss that you can't believe that it's Gautham Vasudev Menon who is calling the shots!
Veera is supposed to be madly in love with Sukanya (Sameera Reddy) since his Class X days. But you don't see much to substantiate the stand till matters take a murderous turn. He continues his sexual exploits even as he stalks her for more than a year! A maniac is gallivanting round town with a knife and girls go missing, but the police force is oblivious!
Veera plays the role of a schizophrenic and hallucinating psychopath. The onus on the actor is obvious. On a couple of occasions though, his mannerisms are reminiscent of the menacing killer in Aalavandhaan . And the role per se brings to mind Anthony Hopkins of Silence of the Lambs .
Sameera Reddy scores with her expressions. Her fear is natural! Initially, Swapna attracts you with her bright, expressive eyes, but when she moves about in a flowing garb like a vengeful Lady Macbeth (Veera's creation), she irritates. Deva is smart as Assistant Police Commissioner Vijay.
Cinematography (Manoj Paramahamsa) is a highlight. A job well done! And Antony's editing deserves applause too. The experimental attempt doesn't have re-recording to boost the impact — a real challenge for the director. Ranganath Ravee's sound design and Shivakumar's audiography create the necessary effect, but in many a scene you miss the background score.
Granted, the director does give you some nail-biting moments, but they are few and far between. And, yes, his unusual touches do find a place here and there. But for the avid Menon fan waiting to see a dramatic denouement, things could be disappointing. NN is a two-hour film that seems to go on and on. Psychological thrillers aren't new to cinema. All the same, Menon's treatment ought to have made a difference.
Those who can stomach morbidity and eeriness can go ahead. But this time don't expect magic from Menon — there isn't any!
Nadunisi Naaygal
Genre: Thriller
Director: Gautham Vasudev Menon
Cast: Veera, Sameera Reddy, Swapna Abraham, Deva
Storyline: The scars and trauma of childhood turn Veera into a killer.
Bottomline: A depressingly dark film – so dark that it can make you nyctophobic!
