Madha

Madha Story: A proof-reader named Nisha (Trishna Mukherjee) begins dating a cinematographer called Arjun (Venkat Rahul), unknowing of his devious plans for her.

Madha Review: Madha (Insanity Personified) is an intriguing psychological thriller pulled off with the help of sharp crescendos and low-lights, which impressively work in creating the kind of atmosphere debutant Sri Vidya Basawa aims for. Putting aside the fact that the film is bogged down by slow-paced introductions and a not-so-gripping climax, Madha works for the most part and is a modest thriller.

Earlier on in the film, a psychiatrist called Balasubramaniam (Bikramjeet Kanwarpal) begins his lecture on the human mind, describing it as a dangerous weapon. As he delves deeper into his lecture, Arjun and Nisha’s story runs on a parallel, apart from a sub-plot of a group of scientists working on a gene correction program. How and why Arjun deceives Nisha, and what it has to do with the lecture and scientists both, is what the film is all about.

Madha is a technically strong film, coupled with a gripping story that keeps things interesting. But the love story between Arjun and Nisha is a huge let-down, never keeping the audience engaged enough. It’s only when the film manages to cross past that and get to the story that things get interesting. The climax and end again are a disappointment.

Trishna Mukherjee, who’s the epicentre of this tale, pulls off her role well. Her performance as a trapped victim in a mental asylum needs special mention. Venkat as Arjun is not at all up to the mark, making one wonder what the film could’ve been with a better actor. Anish Kuruvilla has a key role to play, and though satisfactory enough, even he is a let-down in some crucial scenes. Bikramjeet does a decent job, doing what he can even in scenes that drag on and get repetitive.

Despite its flaws, the film works due to Naresh Kumaran’s background score that elevates the film when necessary, even if it goes a bit overboard at times. Abhiraj Nair’s cinematography keeps things interesting with the perfect balance he strikes between the light and colour.

Madha is a well-written thriller, penned by Prashanth Sagar Atlluri and helmed by Vidya, majorly because the duo does not indulge in clichés specific to the genre. This is one gripping thriller that’s worth a watch!