The Malayalam film “Raveendra Nee Evide,” starring Dhyan Sreenivasan, has landed with a thud, leaving critics and audiences calling it a cinematic disaster that even dedicated editors couldn’t salvage.
A Familiar Premise Goes Astray
Directed by Manoj Palodan, “Raveendra Nee Evide” attempts a modern, more comedic take on Sreenivasan’s 1989 classic, “Vadakkunokkiyantram.” Instead of witty situational humor, it dives headfirst into chaotic slapstick, struggling to find its footing.
The story centers on Raveendran (Anoop Menon), a senior scientist and a by-the-book man. He lives with his wife, Bindu (Sheelu Abraham), and their daughter, in a marriage that began against family wishes. When his close friend faces divorce due to infidelity, Raveendran starts to suspiciously eye his own marriage.
His fears amplify after noticing Bindu’s secret calls and a much younger man, John (Dhyan Sreenivasan), visiting their apartment under false pretenses. Convinced of an affair, Raveendran devises a clumsy plan to catch them, which quickly spirals out of control, threatening both his marriage and career.
Performances That Fail to Impress
The film unfortunately offers little to justify a viewer’s time. Anoop Menon’s portrayal of Raveendran often feels like an open imitation of Mohanlal, from his comedic mannerisms to lifted catchphrases. It’s an attempt that doesn’t quite land, despite even including Mohanlal’s films within the movie itself.
However, it’s Sheelu Abraham’s performance as Bindu that truly disappoints, with the reviewer suggesting it could compete for one of the worst performances of the year. Dhyan Sreenivasan, while present, doesn’t elevate the material, becoming part of the film’s overall struggle.
Behind-the-Scenes Blunders
The film’s shortcomings extend to its writing and direction, showcasing a surprising lack of effort. One egregious example sees a character provide a missing person’s photo by literally showing a Google search image of Dhyan Sreenivasan – a still from an entirely different film.
Another peculiar directorial choice involves Dhyan’s character receiving two separate introductions. First, nonchalantly in a song, and then again later with a dramatic slow-motion sequence and background score, making viewers wonder if the director simply forgot his own initial setup or never watched the final cut.
The narrative also presents problematic elements, such as Raveendran’s unchecked suspicions leading to spy cams and elaborate schemes, only for his wife to later attest to his unwavering fidelity. The film then shows Raveendran taking pride in this, completely glossing over his earlier intrusive and disrespectful actions.
Key Takeaways
- The film is a poor imitation of “Vadakkunokkiyantram,” relying on chaotic slapstick rather than genuine humor.
- Performances from lead actors, especially Sheelu Abraham, are heavily criticized.
- Evident lack of effort in writing and direction leads to baffling plot choices and technical errors.
- The narrative contains problematic elements regarding trust and character behavior.
While Prakash Ulliyeri’s songs are passable and Azees Nedumangad gets a welcome different role, these minor positives aren’t enough to rescue a movie that largely fails on all fronts, cementing its status as a major cinematic misstep.
