Narivetta Review — Bold Themes, Weak Execution | Between Protest and Police, a Film That Loses Focus
Narivetta Review: Directed by Anuraj Manohar and starring Tovino Thomas, Narivetta opens with a compelling quote from Milan Kundera:
“The struggle of man against power is the struggle of memory against forgetting.”
This powerful line sets the tone for a film that seems poised to explore the 2003 Adivasi protests in Wayanad’s Muthanga—a significant chapter in Kerala’s land rights movement. However, as this Narivetta review unfolds, it becomes clear that the film only scratches the surface of that struggle, focusing instead on a personal tale of transformation involving an angry young police constable.
Narivetta Review – The Adivasi Struggle as a Backdrop
The film begins by quickly laying out the challenges faced by the Adivasi community—poverty, hunger, and displacement due to state policies and unchecked migration. But as this Narivetta review points out, these important socio-political elements remain underdeveloped, offered more as context than core narrative. Instead, the story abruptly shifts to Kuttanad, where we meet 28-year-old Varghese Peter (Tovino Thomas), who is adrift, seeking purpose and employment.
While Narivetta appears eager to raise awareness about issues like farmer suicides and joblessness, it doesn’t go beyond surface-level mentions. Much time is spent developing a romance between Varghese and Nancy (Priyamvada Krishnan), delaying the return to Wayanad—where the real drama awaits. But once there, the earlier scenes feel disconnected, adding little to the heart of the story.
Varghese Peter’s Unconvincing Character Arc
As this Narivetta review emphasizes, the protagonist’s shift from a job-seeking, romantic young man to a violent, hot-headed constable lacks emotional buildup. When Varghese is posted to Muthanga to help manage the Adivasi protests, he is shown using force against protestors without prior indications of this temperament. The transformation feels abrupt and unearned.
The second half of Narivetta takes us deeper into the grey zones of the police force, where internal politics and moral ambiguity prevail. Varghese eventually turns rebel, opposing his superiors in a moment that’s supposed to be powerful. Yet, due to weak character development and predictable writing, his act of defiance lands without impact.
Supporting Cast and Technical Aspects
Supporting performances by Arya Salim (as CK Shaanthi) and Cheran (as R Keshavadas IPS) are solid but restrained by the limited scope of the script. The soundtrack by Jakes Bejoy—especially the tribal music elements—is notable, but the background score overall lacks memorability. Visually, the film captures the backwaters and hills beautifully, but emotional resonance is missing.
The Film’s Outsider Perspective
A key critique in this Narivetta review is how the film handles its subject. Instead of giving voice and agency to the protesting Adivasi community, the story is told almost entirely through the eyes of Varghese—the outsider. The camera rarely crosses into the protest camp. When it does, it’s only to position Varghese as a savior figure, rather than centering the lived experiences of the marginalized.
For More: Kapkapiii Review: Shreyas Talpade’s Comic Timing Can’t Save This Tired Horror-Comedy
To Read More in Hindi: https://newz24india.com/