Netrikann:
Nayanthara is superb in a decent generic thriller!
First things
first. I haven’t watched the Korean thriller ‘Blind.’ But I can confidently say
that ‘Netrikann’ is a decent adaptation of the original material they had in
hand.
Durga is a
blind C.B.I. officer with a troubled past. One night, she gets into a private
car, mistaking it for a fast-track taxi on her way back home. During the ride,
the car hits someone, and Durga thinks it’s a clear case of hit-and-run. She
manages to get down from the car and reports it to the police. With the help of
S.I Manikandan and a local food delivery boy, she ventures to pin down the
mysterious driver.
On a parallel
track, young women are getting absconded from Chennai City, and the police are
in the dark, unable to track down the culprit. How the two tracks converge and become,
a cat-and-mouse game is what ‘Netrikann’ is all about.
If you are a
genuine fan of generic thrillers, you will find this one as a decent one. Yes,
it has its share of flaws and predictable moments, but to give it due, it
manages to engage the viewer for most of its run time. The best thing about the screenplay is
that Durga is never portrayed as a ‘Wonderwoman.’ Though she gets a good number
of ‘mass scenes and dialogues, every time the script gives her a clap-worthy
moment, it soon follows up with another one that brings out her
vulnerability.
The interval block
(in the lift) is remarkably superb. The ‘chennayi' fight sequence in the clinic
is also brilliantly executed. The climax though a bit overlong, is tense and
gripping.
Nayanthara is
superb in this film. The role of Durga
is tailor-made for her. She is vulnerable, tangible, and believable and
singlehandedly carries this film on her shoulders.
Ajmal Ameer is
effective as the antagonist. Agreed, he
could have done a bit better as at times he seems to fumble and brings the
right kind of menace in his performance (the ‘truth serum interrogation scene),
but it is also the kind of role which he could have quickly gone overboard and
hammed all the way to glory! (Narein in Mugamoodi). The actor who played
S.I Manikandan is also equally efficient with his comic timing and nuanced
performance.
The film is
technically brilliant, with R.D Rajashekhar’s Cinematography standing out. The
night shots and the aerial shots of the city (I guess some of it might be
C.G.I aided) have come out well. The movie has only one song. Sid Sriram
sings it, and it is indeed a soothing melody. The re-recording is also neatly
done and gels with the overall mood of the film. The stunt choreography is incredible. Milind Rau's adaptation of the original screenplay and his direction are competent.
There might
be two opinions about the tail end portions of the film. It’s pretty evident
that they have tried to Indianise it a bit with an emotional angle
thrown in. Some might find it clichéd, but I feel that it has been neatly done.
On the whole,
Netrikann is a paisa vasool entertainer. Watch it for Nayantara’s brilliant
performance!
Netrikann
is streaming in Disney-Hotstar.
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