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A See-Sawing Script |
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| Behindwoods
Movie Review Board |
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Starring:
Bharath, Meera Jasmine, Prem
Direction: VZ Durai
Music: Srikanth Deva
Production: Rama Saravanan |
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‘Nepali,
the name itself suggests that something different is on offer.
But everything that is different need not always be interesting.
In a way, Nepali has nothing new in terms of its basic plot.
It’s the same boy meets girl, love at first sight, marriage,
tragedy and revenge plot, but the script takes a slightly
offbeat route. |
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Nepali
is the story of a young man, Bharath, who does odd jobs
in many places during the day but assumes a dangerously
sadistic persona at times. It is as if he knows things
that few others know, doing things for reasons that
only he knows. His hands hold steady as he sends people
to their death, often in the most grueling ways. The
law is behind him. But one thing puzzles us: why is
he dressed in such a peculiar manner- those pointed
brows and small eyes. Is he from Nepal?
Nepali is also the story of another young man, played
by Bharath again, who has to face bitter experiences
that change him forever. To start with, Bharath is shown
as a software engineer, young and happy and in love
with a girl in Ooty, Meera Jasmine. Facing opposition
from her family, the lovers have no option but to elope
and marry. It is a happy and contented life in a world
of their own –and it couldn’t get better.
But the evil shadow of a police officer who has developed
a desire for Meera Jasmine lurks over them. Desire becomes
obsession and tragedy follows close behind.
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Nepali tells the story of one other young man- Bharath again!
who ends up in jail for a crime that he could not avoid committing.
In jail he meets a man who holds many secrets that could knock
down many big names in the city. In the dark shadows of the
gallows, the secrets change hands while no one notices. The
hunted man with secrets does not survive but leaves his unfinished
tasks in the hands of the young man he met.
This is basically what Nepali is all about. You might be a
bit confused, and that’s exactly how the script is -
confusing. You might also think that there are many layers
to the story but it is actually a simple linear story that
has been convoluted back and forth to produce a movie that
falls just short of being interesting. The film is set in
three time periods and the script moves back and forth between
then and now. This kind of narration can be interesting, but
the talented director, V.Z. Dhorai (remember the excellent
Mugavari?), somehow misfires. This see-sawing narrative movement
only makes the movie lose momentum far too many times, always
moving in fits and starts, never settling into a steady pace.
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The
cast, except for Bharath, do not have a great deal
to do. Bharath, in perhaps the most challenging role
of his career, has done well. However, we have to
remark that there was more potential in the role,
and the director should have got more out of the star.
Meera Jasmine’s role isn’t challenging:
she walks through it with ease. Govind Namdev, as
the old man in jail, has done a neat job. The rest
of the cast consist of Charan Raj, Dhandapani, Raja
Ravinder and Goutham who have all done fairly well
with the limited roles they play.
Music by Srikanth Deva is a definite plus point, especially
with the ‘Hey You’ being really lively.
The script also flirts briefly with comedy with Mayilsaamy
and company, trying to raise a few laughs. The Bharath-Meera
romance is a low point in the movie: it never seems
to work. It is not endearing, except in one song.
Technically, the movie deserves praise for Mathi’s
camera and Madan Gunadeva’s editing. The movie
does seem a bit lengthy-around 3 hours.
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Overall, Nepali is a product that started off with a good
idea but slipped down because of a script that failed to maintain
flow and execution that took the zing out of the plot. Certain
scenes seem to go on forever. Nepali is not bad, not exactly
mediocre either - it just fails to give us a really interesting
three hours. During the film’s climax, Bharath runs
into a subway followed by policemen; gunshots are heard and
then…… you’re in for a surprise!
Nepali - interesting premise, not so interesting outcome
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