Thriller for all

Taut and engrossing ‘Drishyam’ is the kind of film you may have dreamt of seeing from Tollywood and never have. The tale of trauma that a middle class family is unwittingly caught in, is told with a kind of class and clarity that is not associated with cinema here. It is not therefore surprising that the film is an inspired remake of its original Malayalam version with the same title.

Tollywood does not often engage in tight-scripted thrillers. This is a treat and a very pleasant surprise in the context. The film has an interesting story line. Many moments leave you with a distinct feeling that it could have been handled better and an opportunity to make a masterpiece has gone by. That notwithstanding ‘Drishyam’ makes for interesting and engrossing viewing.

The story line: A middle class family: dad Ram Babu (Venkatesh), mom Jyoti (Meena) and the two daughters- Anju (Krithika) and Anu (Esther) - unwittingly get involved in the murder of a young spoilt brat Varun (Roshan Basheer). Varun is the son of a businessman Prabhakar (Naresh) and a senior IPS officer Geetha (Nadhiya). He is killed when he is out to blackmail Anju with nude video of hers taken at a school camp and is asking for sexual favours from either the mom or the daughter. Rambabu destroys all the evidence that could get the police knocking at their doorstep. The family hitherto happy and comfortable in the precincts of its little idyllic lifestyle and middle class existence is shocked into the sudden change of event. Predictably the police, mainly abetted by the local corrupt police constable (Ram Kale) and encouraged by the effected mom IG Geetha, arrive at the doorstep of Ram Babu. While the investigating officer Naveen Kumar ( Sameer) and the other officer on hand (Parchuri Venkateshwar Rao) are hesitant, at the instant of the corrupt police constable and IG, goes all out to arrest , interrogate and harass the members of the family. Rambabu has all the loose ends tied up and thus the police find it difficult to crack the crime though it is obvious that the guy has gone missing due to the family. Rambabu assures his family that at no cost will they be held for the offence and infuses confidence that as long as he is around they would not go to jail. A good part of the film deals with the investigation, how the family and everyone else questioned in the course of the questioning are so perfectly tutored or tell the story to perfection. If ever there were a perfect crime (due apologies to Agatha Christie) it is here. All this happens at the Rajavaram police station that is being constructed. How the film sorts out the climax is interesting and is without the bout of needless violence that one has come to associate with Telugu cinema.
Somewhere the director Sri Priya fails to translate the script with the punch it warrants. Yet it is compelling and makes for very interesting viewing. Both the cinematography and the background score (S Gopal Reddy and Sharat respectively) could have been far more imaginative with their creative outputs. Marthand Venkatesh edits the script very well.

Of the cast while most do what they are called upon without much ado it is a tad disappointing that the cast in charge erred in favour Meena who also portrayed the role in the original. Surely it would have been a role to be extended to better actors. Even Tabu could have been offered the role and the product could have reached higher echelons. Ravi Kale is worth noting. He gets a well etched role and does full justice to it. Naresh and Nadhiya come up with very polished performances. They do not go overboard ever and as parents eager to crack the crime do a wonderfully natural translation of what the script requires of them. But the film singularly belongs to Venkatesh as the central character. The film also reiterates that the film star is willing to subtly move from romantic roles to ones that suit his age. While age is beginning to show on his face, it is also showing the maturity that the actor brings on board. This is a wonderful interpretation of a traumatised and caring parent who is willing to go to any possible length to save his family. No super heroics. Within the premise of acceptability of a normal person, he does a brilliant job. Arguably his best outing to date! Doubtlessly an award winning performance and one that effortlessly and seamlessly holds the script together. His performance in the final scene is particularly worth mentioning. If you are a Venkatesh fan watch the film. If you are not, still watch it and ask yourself why you have not been a Venkatesh fan!
The film is an encouraging step in the right direction and arguably one of the best in a long long time. Do not miss it.