'Varshangalku Sesham' film review: Vineeth Srinivasan's comedy holds this ode to cinema and friendship together

Still from the movie 'Varshangalku Sesham'

Vineeth Srinivasan, with his wealth of experience, is acutely aware of the barbs that will come his way after the film's release. in Varshangalkku Sesham, his sixth directorial, he launches a preemptive strike at such barbs by indulging in some uncharacteristic self-mockery. But then, let's not fuel expectations of Vineeth charting a new path. Once all the jibes directed at himself are over, he returns to his nostalgic, feel-good comfort zone somewhere in Chennai.

Much of the story revolves around the friendship between an aspiring screenwriter and filmmaker Venu (Dhyaan Srinivasan) and musician Murali (Pranav Mohanlal). As was the trend back in the 1970s, he moves to Madras with dreams of making it big in cinema. Fortune waves, showering them fame and failure in equal measure.

Vineeth tries to tell the story of an outsider finding his feet in a cut-throat industry, though ironically, the actors playing him are outsiders. Emotional core Varshangalkku Sesham It is written around the changing shades of the relationship between these two men and the evolution of the film industry in the intervening years, but somehow it is not a deeply affecting story because of the weakly written conflicts.

Murali's portrayal of a character who looks down on commercial cinema music, but at the same time spoils his missed opportunity in the industry, is the flimsy reason to move away. But the change in tone that occurs in the second half saves the film, as the melodrama takes a backseat and Vineeth unleashes his comic powers.

Nivin Pauly, ably supported by Basil Joseph, lifts the film with a performance that has 'Metta' written all over it. As Nitin Moli, a narcissistic actor in need of a hit, he goes head-to-head with all the things that have bullied him on social media and totally owns it. Apart from some tasteless scenes of how the star treats his female fans, his scenes are laugh-out-loud. He excels in comic scenes, meditative in emotional sequences; Vineeth has given both of them career revival turns.

Still from the movie 'Varshangalku Sesham'

Many scenes are filled with inside jokes and references to the film industry and past films. At times, it feels like the film pays homage to those who don't sell out and stand up for their artistic ideals, but one wishes there was better writing to convey this, along with long-standing friendships and other intended feelings of accomplishment. Celluloid dreams. Although young musician Amrit Ramnath uses a lot of string sections to evoke emotions, the lack of depth in the conflicts makes his efforts partially successful.

As far as current events are concerned, the make-up for the artists leaves much to be desired, only Dhyan is able to convince us of their age. Unlike heroines Kalyani Priyadarshan and Neeta Pillai, there is no scope for acting.

Varshangalkku Sesham Ending as an earnest take on cinema and friendship, it would have fallen far short were it not for the comedy that holds it together and lifts it at times.

Sesham is currently running in theaters for a year