“Nesipaya” Film Review

I have, for many years, refused to read any film review until after I have seen the film. All too often, the review has many spoilers, or it creates a false impression even before one sees the first frame. Unfortunately, I knew from social media interaction that Nesipaya was slated by critics and that it did not have a good run at the box-office, and I had wondered how Vishnu Varadhan, one of my favourite directors, could have gotten things wrong. After seeing the film – now streaming on SUN NXT – it highlighted the importance of not being swayed by public opinion but watching every film with an open mind.

I found Nesipaya to be one of the best constructed romantic thrillers in a long time – and this is much more than because of the engaging story. A screen romance needs to be felt by the audience for it to be relevant, and Vishnu Varadhan certainly succeeds in taking the audience into the minds and hearts of the film’s protagonists. Secondly, a thriller needs to maintain substance but hold on to credibility. Nesipaya does that brilliantly.

In the opening minutes of the film, the audience gets to know that Arjun Vishwanathan (Akash Murali) and his former girlfriend, Diya Ramalingam (Adithi Shankar) have broken up. Normally a flashback to what transpired creates a drag in the screenplay, but Vishnu Varadhan has chosen to break the flashback into bite-sized portions that are interspersed with the present. The technique works well because it adds to the film’s mystery and suspense while also taking the viewer through a detailed and emotional journey into the metamorphosis of the relationship between Arjun and Diya.

With Diya arrested in Portugal for murder, Arjun makes his way there in an attempt to help, but meets with many obstacles and challenges in doing so, However, he finds a friend in the principled and feisty lawyer Indirani Jahan (French actress Kalki Coechlin). Arjun’s ill-judged decision to meet the murdered boy’s parents (Sarathkumar and Kushbu) unearths a new set of challenges when he has to deal with the murky character, Varadharajan (yesteryear actor Raja). Whether or not Arjun’s attempts to save Diya are successful forms the rest of the story.

It is a stunning debut for Akash Murali, the younger son of the Late Murali and the younger brother of Adharva.  His ease of emoting and his powerful body language makes it difficult to believe that this is debut to films. Veterans Sarathkumar and Khushbu both put in career best performances, with Khushbu shining brighter than any of her previous roles.

Aditi Shankar portrays her best role to date and is electrifying in the film’s second half. Raja as Varatharajan and Matthew Varghese as Arjun’s father are in very credible performances. Stand-up comedian Vikkals Vikram has the film’s most delightful role, playing Arjun’s friend, Subbu.

A major highlight of the film is the cinematography by Cameron Eric Bryson (The Family Man-fame) where the framing is artistically creative and the angles carefully structured. The use of lighting with his varied palette are all elemnts that make the film a visual feast for even the uninitiated. Bryson and Vishnu Varadhan must also share the credit for presenting the natural beauty of Portugal without making it seem like a travel documentary.

It is a brilliant performance from Yuvanshankar Raja whose trendy and relevant songs provide great support to the narrative. Yuvan’s background score also plays a major supporting role for the film.

The fight sequences in the film are outstanding except for the close to climax scene where Arjun is attacked by multiple goons. Credibility dropped a few rungs in those scenes, diluting the overall effect of the other fight sequences.

The script by Vishnu Varadhan and Neelan Sekar contains powerful dramatic exchanges without being melodramatic. The script is also tautly worded, providing emphasis to the action and acting, overshadowing the words uttered.

As a director, Vishnu Vardhan has delivered a product that is almost on par with his other memorable films like Arrambam, Sarvam, Arindhum Ariyaamalum and Billa. Exactly why audiences and critics rejected a film this absorbing remains a mystery.

Nesipaya scores 8 points out of 10.