Aditya N
Aditya N
Story:
A series of murders occur in the Thaenkaadu forest region of Tamil Nadu, where locals strongly suspect the involvement of the forest spirit Vannaratchi. This initiates a criminal investigation led by inspector Rishi (Naveen Chandra), supported by sub-inspectors Ayannar (Kanna Ravi) and Chitra (Malini Jeevaratnam), as well as forest officers Kathy (Sunainaa), Irfan (Elango Kumaravel), and others. Thaenkaadu, known for various illegal wildlife activities such as poaching and wood smuggling, emerges as the narrative’s focal point, oscillating between the presence of a powerful force and the individuals responsible.
Performances:
Naveen Chandra once again demonstrates his brilliance in his portrayal of a determined inspector investigating a series of forest murders, showcasing his ability to bring depth and complexity to his character. Sunainaa, on the other hand, delivers a remarkable performance as a Forest Beat Officer, capturing the innocence and depth of her character. The supporting actors, including Malini Jeevarathnam, Kanna Ravi, Srikrishna Dayal, and Kumaravel, also contribute to the series’ overall quality with their exceptional performances.
Analysis:
Inspector Rishi might make you remember the other crime series against a village backdrop. The Casting, initial setup, and the Varanatchi theme are intriguing and add depth to the narrative. Nevertheless, the series’s overuse of cliches and tropes in multiple storylines hampers it. The characters need more depth, and their personalities often need to be more superficial despite the writing’s attempt to add complexity. Director Nandhini tries to show the small clusters of human sentiments, yet overall, the narration pertains to man’s connection with nature.
Positives:
As said above, the performances of all the lead actors were good for the series. The tribe’s backstory had the required emotion. The initial setup of murders and the link to the superstitions/culture are exciting. The final episodes work well with some decent twists.
Negatives:
The show fails to effectively blend mystery, horror, and thriller elements, resulting in a poorly constructed plotline and a slow-paced screenplay. The horror elements cannot evoke genuine fear and the sporadic appearances of Vanaratchi lack impact due to ineffective storytelling and camera techniques. The series is weighed down by numerous characters who have minimal impact on the storyline, leading to a disjointed narrative and limited chances for character growth. Furthermore, the director’s choice to allocate excessive time to subplots disrupts the overall flow of the show.
