Throughout the Nineties and 2000s, Rafi-Mecartin was a reputation synonymous with comedy hits in Mollywood. This dynamic duo produced a number of comedy gems with nice repeat worth, corresponding to Punjabi Home, Thenkasi Pattanam and Chathikatha Chanthu. Nonetheless, the duo cut up within the early 2010s, and Raffi continued to stay on to slapstick style in his solo movies, too.
In comparison with his solo outings like Ring Grasp (2014) and Function Fashions (2017), Raffi’s newest flick, Voice of Sathyanathan, is a aid. Nonetheless, it’s clear that the filmmaker remains to be confined to the fashion of the Nineties and 2000s.
Equally, actor Dileep got here to be often called “janapriya nayakan” along with his lead roles in rom-coms and slapstick comedies through the late Nineties and early 2000s. His loud and exaggerated fashion suited the comedies Mollywood produced at the moment.
There isn’t a doubt that he’s an actor able to managed performing—as seen in his movies like Kathavasheshan (2004) or Arike (2012). Nonetheless, by the second half of the 2000s itself, Dileep had began to create an performing mould for himself on the subject of movies tagged below the “comedy style”. Voice of Sathyanathan reaffirms that Dileep has not utterly damaged free from that decades-old mould, and has no intention of reinventing his comedic fashion to go well with the current age.
Voice of Sathyanathan follows a well-worn plotline generally seen in cinema, the place an “abnormal man” faces difficult circumstances, main him to carry out “extraordinary” feats and finally acquire recognition from the world. Nonetheless, one distinctive side is that the protagonist encounters bother as a consequence of his personal articulation points.
The story begins with a easy misunderstanding between neighbours brought on by a power-cut, but it surely shortly spirals right into a collection of troubles for Sathyanathan. His actions even draw the eye of legislation enforcement businesses, resulting in suspicions about his potential hyperlinks to terror teams.
The movie’s first act employs extra of a slapstick comedy fashion, however the comedic timing feels off, and the comedy lacks the sharpness and cleverness that make for genuinely amusing moments. On this portion, Sathyanathan is portrayed as a fraud small-scale businessman with a loud mouth. Nonetheless, this reviewer believes that this character-building turned an impediment within the movie’s third act, in making the viewers imagine that this man would finally take important dangers to learn society, even endangering his personal life.
The second act of the movie is arguably the most effective half. Throughout this part, Sathyanathan finds himself confined in jails in each Kerala and Mumbai due to one grave mistake he does in his village. Throughout the confinement phases, he would grow to be the pet of two distinctly reverse characters—performed respectively by Joju George and Makrand Deshpande. On this part, Raffi shifts gears to make the movie extra dramatic, and Dileep delivers a extra managed efficiency. Though Raffi offers the least precedence to logic, he manages to introduce some first rate subplots on this a part of the movie. Apparently, a few of the conversational jokes on this half really labored and created laughter within the theatre.
Nonetheless, within the third act, the writing as soon as once more falters, and the moments which can be imagined to make the viewers root for Satyanathan find yourself feeling bland.
Among the supporting solid, notably Siddique and Abhiram Radhakrishnan, delivered praiseworthy performances, showcasing their vary as actors. Joju portrayed a “typical Joju George”—a ‘man of ache’—character on this movie, too. This author fears that the extremely proficient actor, too, is getting typecast along with his selection of movies.
Veena Nandakumar, who performed Sathyanathan’s spouse, Susan, gave an honest efficiency. Essentially the most cringe-worthy efficiency got here from Ramesh Pisharody, who performed a YouTuber who desperately makes an attempt to repeat the fashion and slang of Gen-Z social media stars.
Ankit Menon was accountable for the movie’s music, however sadly, the background rating proved to be too loud, and missing soul at a number of factors all through the film. The cinematography division additionally failed to depart an enduring impression.
Total, the movie didn’t create a beneficial impression. However in case you are somebody who may be content material with ‘outdated wine in a brand new bottle’, you may discover enjoyment on this movie.
Movie: Voice of Sathyanathan
Director: Raffi
Forged: Dileep, Joju George, Veena Nandakumar
Ranking: 2/5
