Nothing but a futile effort

Nayaki is another horror comedy hitting screens this weekend but the only thing original about it is its title. It’s a film by a one-film-old director Govi who’s at a loss of ideas in executing the plot that sounds interesting on paper. Despite capable actors at the helm, from Trisha to Ganesh Venkatraman to Sathyam Rajesh and Jayaprakash, all he gives them are poorly etched characters that can’t lift an indifferent execution.

The film’s set largely in a haunted house in a deserted area of Dundigal. A series of circumstances brings a young unmarried couple, played by Satyam Rajesh and Sushma Raj, to a palatial house. Here they discover unheard truths about the place, including the presence of a female ghost and her father who uncompromisingly rip apart men who cheat on women. There’s a painful drag of a backstory on display, followed by a predictable climactic stretch where the ghost’s quest is fulfilled, but not the viewer’s.

It isn’t a hard bargain to expect more comedy than horror in such a backdrop. And, here there are opportunities aplenty to create an interesting mix. The ideas of the ghost being visible only on a camera, her mood changing every Friday just because she’s an aspirant heroine all sound nice. What you get though are a bunch of scenes full of over-stretched ideas. By the interval bang, you still have no clear reason behind the horror element beyond the ghost brushing her teeth, regularly singing ‘Sirimalle Puvva’ amidst posters of Geeta Dutt, Savitri and Sarada all over the house.

The 80s setting arrives in the latter hour, but there’s hardly any life in the frames. The styling is neat though it’s a wasted backdrop. Sai Karthik’s background score is one of the better aspects of

Nayaki despite him playing to the book. Widely marketed as a Trisha starrer, it’s Sushma Raj and Sathyam Rajesh who get meatier parts.

Trisha’s role is similar to what Hansika had to offer in Kalavathi and Chandrakala . The actress, beyond wearing costumes that depict old-world charm, has no bite to her role.

The song ‘Bhayam’ sung by her, during the credits portions comes as a minor relief. Brahmanandam makes a small appearance too, but is too late to undo damage. Poonam and Nara Rohith make interesting blink-and-a-miss appearances. It’s the lack of a clear mind and a haywire screenplay that hurts

Nayaki more than anything else.

– Srivathsan Nadadhur

Nayaki

Cast: Trisha, Sathyam Rajesh, Sushma Raj

Direction: Govi

Music: Raghu Kunche

Nothing but a futile effort

Trisha-starrer Nayaki has hardly anything going for it in terms of performance or execution