Varshangalkku Shesham movie review: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Pranav Mohanlal try ‘too hard’ in Vineeth Sreenivasan’s weakest film | Movie-review News
Varshangalkku Shesham may be dubbed as Malayalam’s The Archies, sans the ultra-elite backdrop and supply materials just like the comics that impressed Zoya Akhtar’s movie. A reunion of types of Malayalam nepo infants, the film is directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, son of actor-filmmaker Sreenivasan, whose brother Dhyan Sreenivasan has performed the lead position alongside Malayalam celebrity Mohanlal’s son Pranav, and it additionally options director Priyadarshan and actor Lissy’s daughter Kalyani in a key position.
Nevertheless, what makes Varshangalkku Shesham totally different from The Archies is its comparatively relatable setting and its ambivalent stance on nepotism. In different phrases, it may be mentioned that the film maintains a love-hate relationship with nepotism: whereas it has been made with the assistance of the observe, the movie’s narrative mocks the identical in a “intelligent” method, which in the end works in favour of Varshangalkku Shesham, though solely to an extent.
In contrast to films like Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback, The Soiled Image, Heroine et al, Varshangalkku Shesham doesn’t centre on the movie business’s pitfalls. As an alternative, it focuses on the lives of two aspirants whose skilled and private journeys are formed by the selections they make, whether or not constructive or detrimental.
Revolving round two shut buddies — Venu (Dhyan Sreenivasan) and Murali (Pranav Mohanlal) — the movie’s story spans a number of a long time, chronicling their lives by way of totally different intervals. It delves into their evolving bond and the challenges they face in each their private relationship {and professional} pursuits as Venu strives to determine himself as a writer-director, whereas Murali goals to carve a distinct segment as a music composer. Starting within the Sixties after they meet for the primary time, the movie follows their journey as they develop into nearer, then relocate to Kodambakkam in Madras to chase their goals, encounter obstacles, step by step acquire recognition, expertise success, endure conflicts, drift aside, undergo profession setbacks, hit all-time low, reconcile and in the end embark on a brand new chapter collectively.
Identical to Vineeth Sreenivasan’s different movies, apart from Thira, Varshangalkku Shesham additionally begins off on a lighter tone, drawing inspiration from the types of his father Sreenivasan and director Priyadarshan, and consists of a number of scenes aimed toward eliciting laughter. Vineeth, as normal, additionally incorporates parts to evoke nostalgic emotions within the viewers, which, mixed with Dhyan Sreenivasan’s comedic expertise, instantly engages viewers.
Watch Varshangalkku Shesham trailer right here:
Nevertheless, the movie takes a downturn as soon as Pranav Mohanlal enters the scene, and the try to pressure the 2 actors on one another backfires instantaneously as they lack chemistry, no less than on display screen. The moments supposed to depict their rising bond and friendship fail to go away an affect, both as a result of the actors lack a real-life rapport or they aren’t proficient sufficient to painting a plausible friendship. The overt efforts to painting Pranav as cute and capitalise on his perceived allure, together with the substitute dialogues, exacerbate the scenario, making every thing seem fairly staged.
One other space the place the movie falls flat miserably is in its makes an attempt to recycle or pay tribute to beforehand profitable films or their elements. Whereas Pranav and Dhyan’s dynamic strives to emulate the chemistry seen within the movies of their fathers, Mohanlal and Sreenivasan, the film additionally seeks to money in on the profitable pairing of Pranav and Kalyani, which was well-received in Vineeth’s earlier directorial Hridayam. The movie additionally incorporates dialogues and eventualities that immediately reference previous films or real-life occasions. Nevertheless, all of them fail to resonate successfully and find yourself feeling lacklustre.
Whereas Vineeth stands out as one of many uncommon Malayalam administrators with an unblemished 100 per cent success fee, his movies usually draw criticism for his or her quite a few cringe-inducing moments. Nonetheless, what resonates with audiences in Vineeth’s films is their skill to forge emotional connections — a top quality notably missing in Varshangalkku Shesham. Regardless of adhering to standard plot factors generally present in Indian movies depicting artistes’ journeys into cinema, the writer-director fails to ship compelling moments, leading to a persistently underwhelming movie. Moreover, the characterisations additionally fall quick, with solely Murali and Venu receiving correct character arcs, whereas others, akin to Murali’s love curiosity (Kalyani), Venu’s spouse (Neeta Pillai), their lodge proprietor (YG Mahendran), a womanising movie star (Shaan Rahman), their assistant director (Basil Joseph) and the producer (Aju Varghese in twin roles as each father and son in two eras), are relegated to only a few impactful moments. Nevertheless, even Murali and Venu seem to lack enough depth, hindering viewers from empathising with them at any level.
Amidst all the failings, the movie finds a vivid spot with the entry of Nivin Pauly, taking part in an exaggerated and caricatured model of himself named Nithin Molly, and his distinctive and energetic efficiency partially redeems Varshangalkku Shesham. As talked about earlier, the movie’s exploration of nepotism and its “intelligent” portrayal happen by way of Nithin Molly, depicted as an outsider similar to the true Nivin — coping with “[film] caucuses, belts, groupism, favouritism and nepotism alongside physique shaming”, but reaching success within the business. Like Nivin, Nithin is depicted as a star experiencing a profession downturn however striving for a comeback. Simply as Nithin finds his likelihood by way of Venu’s movie, Nivin himself receives the same alternative in actual life in Varshangalkku Shesham, because of Vineeth who launched him in Malarvaadi Arts Membership (2010).
Varshangalkku Shesham additionally emphasises Nivin Pauly’s unmatched expertise when utilised by filmmakers who perceive his talents and limitations. Regardless of restricted display screen time, Nivin steals the present with a assured efficiency, adeptly dealing with comedy whereas exuding a fascinating allure that blends his performing prowess and star persona.
Nevertheless, the frustration in Varshangalkku Shesham lies in the truth that, regardless of the ensemble forged, it’s solely Nivin, in an prolonged cameo, who delivers a standout efficiency, with Dhyan being the one different actor to make a notable impression.
Viswajith Odukkathil’s cinematography right here lacks the affect seen in Hridayam and Mukundan Unni Associates, though Ranjan Abraham’s modifying partially compensates for it. Amrit Ramnath’s music and background rating depart a powerful impression total, although they often miss the mark. Concerning the director and composer’s decisions, the choice of Vineeth to sing the primary track in all his films solely as a result of he’s a singer and the film’s director isn’t vital. That is exemplified in Varshangalkku Shesham’s track “Madhu Pakaroo” the place Vineeth and Pranav’s voices lack similarity, leading to a lacklustre monitor. Nimesh M Thanoor and Ronex Xavier as soon as once more excel in manufacturing design and make-up, respectively, whereas Divya George’s costume work additionally deserves reward.
Varshangalkku Shesham film forged: Dhyan Sreenivasan, Pranav Mohanlal, Nivin Pauly, Aju Varghese, Basil Joseph, Kalyani Priyadarshan
Varshangalkku Shesham film director: Vineeth Sreenivasan
Varshangalkku Shesham film score: 2 stars
