Drishyam 2015 (Movie Review)

Dir: Nishikant Kamat
Cast: Ajay Devgn, Tabu, Shriya Saran, Ishita Dutta  
Dur: 2 hrs 43 mins
Rating: 3/5
Comment: The concept may inspire some to act likewise. A critical approach is necessary to avoid getting carried away with what is depicted.

Indian films rarely create a sensation with their originality and innovation. Often they are re-makes or copies of films produced elsewhere. Original Indian stories often restrict themselves to the gross ‘hero-always-wins-against-any-circumstance’ level. Drishyam is a surprising and refreshing change from this tradition. The originality of the story and its intricate plot are a delight for cinema lovers (although traditional fans of bollywood may have ruffled opinions).

The Salgaonkars’ are a normal middle-class family, living their normal middle-class life. They are close-knit and share exceptional family bonds. Nearly three-fourths of the first half of the film are spent on the normal life of the Salgaonkars’, perhaps to convince us that they are just an ordinary family. One malicious act of a boy looking to have some fun turns their ordinariness into something fantastic. Up until this point we can follow the events as they unfold, but suddenly the films jumps from real life in to the realm of fiction. The fiction we read and see on television influences us and germinates ideas within us. A D, the father of the family designs a scheme so elaborate, borrowing ideas from fiction, in order to protect his family.

The drama is slow, leading up to fairly expected climax. The reality of the situation is forceful. The actors have done fairly well. The drama is close to life and plays out like clockwork. The police force seems to be a one-man (or more correctly, a one-woman) show. The perfect crime is rarely found in fiction but the world has experienced numerous unsolved cases. Nevertheless, a perfect case is rarely found. Lovers of crime fiction will enjoy this film. Other cinema lovers too will find it interesting despite the fact that there is very little ostentatious violence. I am a huge fan of crime fiction but somehow wasn’t very thrilled with the movie. I did however, enjoy the intelligence of the plot and the unravelling of the events, but still felt the film lacked something.    


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