The latest Netflix Tamil anthology, Navarasa, explores the nine rasas or the nine human emotions. The nine stories, that attempt to tackle the emotions that define life, stand out in their own unique ways.
The first episode is Revathi’s Edhiri. While Vijay Sethupathi and Prakash Raj bring out anger, Revathi is the compassionate one. However, Edhiri doesn’t define any emotion, and more than compassion, it dwells on guilt and forgiveness. A woman can be compassionate, but can she forgive the killer of her husband?
Priyadarshan’s Summer of 92 with Remya Nambeesan and Yogi Babu in the lead, promises laughter. However, the film fails to tickle the funny bone and a few politically incorrect jokes are hardly humorous. Yogi Babu’s character Velusamy states that one need not be educated to be successful—a message that comes across as boring, and the plot is devoid of originality.
Agni, with Arvind Swamy and Prasanna in the lead, and directed by Karthick Naren, explores the theme of wonder. Arvind Samy's character talks about science, fan fiction, aliens, subconscious reality and human civilisation, all in just thirty minutes. It is an interesting watch at the end and makes a perfect science fiction thriller, and the performances of the leading duo stand out. The director does not hide the fact that he is a huge Christopher Nolan fan.
Payasam, by Vasanth Sai is the story of a Brahmin wedding, with Rohini, Aditi Balan and Delhi Ganesh in the lead. The film revolves around a Brahmin man who is worried about his widowed daughter. Although the theme of the movie is 'disgust', it is the emotion of jealousy that play a prominent part. Aditi Balan's character, the widow, fails to connect with the viewer.
Peace is set in the backdrop of the Eelam war in Sri Lanka. Karthik Subbaraj takes the viewers to the war field where Bobby Simha's Nilavan and Gautham Vasudev Menon's Cheran Master, are rebels fighting the Sri Lankan army. Simha helps a young boy to make peace, but what it costs Nilavan forms the rest of the story. There are few emotional and nail biting moments as the characters are engaged in more action than conversation.
Roudram marks Arvind Saami's debut as a director. A well-directed short film, with an interesting script, Roudram has Riythvika in the lead as police officer, Anbukarasi. Anbu and her brother Arul, children of a domestic help Chitramma, are the victims of the societal set up and are angry with it. A revenge thriller, Roudram is an engaging watch.
Then there is Inmai by R. Rathindran Prasad, with Parvathy Thiruvothu and Siddharth, and packed with the emotion of fear. The film set in Puducherry begins as a sweet affair, but then the plot twist hits you hard. The lead pair meet, fall in love, and soon things take an unexpected turn.
A relatively new concept in Tamil cinema, this anthology fair is a mixed bag of emotions, but not all of them affect you equally.
Movie: Navarasa
Directed by: Priyadarshan, Karthik Subbaraj, Vasanth, Arvind Swami, Bejoy Nambiar, Karthick Naren, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Sarjun KM and Rathindran R. Prasad
Starring: Suriya, Vijay Sethupathi, Siddharth, Revathi, Parvathy Thiruvothu, Prayaga Martin, Arvind Swami, Prasanna, Poorna, Delhi Ganesh, Rohini, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Yogi Babu, Remya Nambeesan, Aditi Balan, Bobby Simha, Riythvika
Rating: 2/5