Narivetta review: Tovino Thomas headlines powerful film on systemic oppression

India Today

23-05-2025

What do 'Jigarthanda Double X', 'Viduthalai 2', and 'Narivetta' have in common? It has protagonists who fall victim to systemic oppression - a hero who represents a system, later realises the truth, who represents the right, and who fights for what's right, even if it means an end to one's life.Varghese Peter (Tovino Thomas) is a man, much like his father. The two men are not interested in doing simple jobs to pass the day. They aim high, which is a testament to their potential. Varghese lives with his mother after his father took his life. He is awaiting calls for two jobs – a village assistant and a police constable. Varghese, who doesn't think twice about borrowing money from the women in his life, is uninterested in both jobs.advertisementBeing a constable will limit his abilities, he says. However, his situation and the shame of his girlfriend's father force him to take up the constable job. When Varghese dons the uniform, he is an angry man. Basheer (Suraj Venjaramoodu) guides him and keeps his anger in check. When they are posted in Wayanad, they are forced to evacuate a bunch of Adivasis who are protesting for land rights.
Director Anuraj Manohar takes a straight approach with 'Narivetta'. It starts with Varghese's life as a man who depends on the women in his life and ends with the moment he finds the true purpose of his life. Of late, Malayalam cinema has cracked the code with cop thrillers. But 'Narivetta' takes a different approach. It follows a non-linear format and takes the story back and forth.advertisementThe initial stretches of 'Narivetta' begin on a slow note as we are introduced to Varghese and his tryst with multiple jobs that he is not satisfied with. Then, we see Varghese romancing his girlfriend (Priyamvada Krishnan), who takes care of his needs. It's only after a temporary separation from her that he lands himself the constable job. This is where the film picks up momentum. It is easy to say that 'Narivetta' could feel like two different films pre- and post-interval. The politics of 'Narivetta' is quite strong. It exposes a corrupt police system and makes us squirm in our seats with every selfish move they make. Keshavadas (Cheran), who initially pretends to be a good cop, changes his colours, much to the shock of Varghese. When the new cop begins to understand the politics behind the Adivasis' protest, it changes his perception and makes him realise his true purpose.Tovino Thomas is extraordinary in 'Narivetta', especially during the police vs Adivasis stand-off sequence towards the climax. It is brilliantly shot by cinematographer Vijay. And Jakes Bejoy's music lends tension during the moments when there's injustice meted out to the Adivasis. Suraj Venjaramood as the empathetic Basheer makes one believe there are good cops amid many corrupt ones. Cheran, a popular director in Tamil cinema, plays a grey-shaded character. While he is mostly effective, he has a one-tone expression, which dampens the impact.Through 'Narivetta', the filmmaker exposed police brutality with scenes that shed light on custodial torture and illegal detention. While the film's politics is straightforward, the storyline could have been gripping.3 out of 5 stars for 'Narivetta'.