Released last week in Bombay and other circuits, Indian Cinema Company’s Narivetta (dubbed from the Malayalam film of the same name; UA) is the story of how state-sanctioned violence through policing can affect marginalised communities. Power structures are meant to protect citizens, but they can sometimes become systems of control.
Abin Joseph has written a story which would appeal only to a thin section of the audience. Joseph’s screenplay is dull. Dialogues are routine.
Tovino Thomas does fairly well as police constable Varghese Peter. Priyamvada Krishnan is quite nice. Suraj Venjaramoodu is alright as police head constable Basheer Ahmed. Cheran lends average support in the role of DIG R. Keshavadas. Aryan Salim (as C.K. Shanthi) is adequate. Pranav Teophine delivers a routine performance as Thaami. Prasanth Madhavan is okay as Madhu. Rini Udayakumar, Jithin Eden, Badusha N.M., Kumar Sethu and Dr. Vijesh Lee do as desired.
Anuraj Manohar’s direction is not too impressive. Jakes Bejoy’s music is not of the popular variety. Lyrics are average. Background music is so-so. Vijay’s cinematography is reasonably nice. Shameer Muhammed’s editing ought to have been sharper. Dubbing is alright.
On the whole, Narivetta is a flop fare.
