Nadikar highlights celebrity struggles but lacks emotional impact due to poor writing and screenplay, wasting a great opportunity.
| Directed by | Lal Jr. |
|---|---|
| Written by | Suvin S. Somasekharan |
| Produced by | Naveen Yerneni Y. Ravi Shankar Allan Antony Anoop Venugopal |
| Starring | Tovino Thomas Divya Pillai Balu Varghese Soubin Shahir Shine Tom Chacko Bhavana |
| Cinematography | Alby |
| Edited by | Ratheesh Raj |
| Music by | Yakzan Gary Pereira Neha Nair |
| Production companies | Godspeed Cinema Mythri Movie Makers |
Gist of the Story
‘Nadikar’ follows David Padikkal, a former celebrity struggling with emotional issues and a falling career due to hubris and conflicts with coworkers, played by Tovino Thomas.
Detailed Plot
Tovino Thomas plays David Padikkal, an unexpected celebrity who is now dealing with a string of box-office disasters and doubts about his acting abilities. However, David is unconcerned about the criticism he receives and lives his life in parties, drink, drugs, and women. Despite his never-mind mentality, David chooses to make a comeback in his professional life. His manager approaches Bala, played by Soubin Shahir, an acting teacher with previous experience in drama, to teach him how to act. However, David’s ego is immediately challenged by Bala’s unusual ways. However, when David’s acting improves under Bala’s imaginative ideas, he chooses to question Bala’s method. The main dilemma in Nadikar is whether David Padikkal, a celebrity who is soulless and without meaningful connections, can be changed into a competent actor.
Artistes’ Performances
David Padikkal, the superstar, is portrayed superbly by Tovino Thomas. With his problems, the young actor delves into the mind of a self-obsessed superstar. Everyone is in awe of his body language and verbal delivery as he plays several characters in the movie. Public opinion of Soubin Shahir in the role of Bala is positive. The actor’s Kochi dialect has drawn criticism. But in Nadikar, he wins them over with his acting and dialogue delivery. Impressive is Balu Varghese in the role of David’s helper, Lenin. As Paili, Suresh Krishna has a significant part to perform and does well in the comedic parts. Even with her short screen time, Bhavana has a significant and influential role.
Direction / Technical Side
The film’s original title, Nadikar Thilakam, was changed to Nadikar under the insistence of Shivaji Ganeshan’s family and supporters. In Nadikar, Tovino plays David Padikkal, an unintentional superstar whose life is the subject of the film. David Padikkal’s haughty stage occupies a significant portion of the initial part of this movie. He refuses to acknowledge or is unaware of his acting limits, and the movie has several scenes that will serve as a reminder of the different problems that different performers have brought about. The open criticism really aids in building the audience’s anticipation for what happens in the second part of the movie. Unfortunately, there isn’t much emotional organisation despite the idea’s attractiveness. However, there are several thought-provoking sequences in “Nadikar” that show us how, if one is not disciplined enough, celebrity may turn into disaster. It also emphasises how important it is to regularly engage in introspection.
Nadikar lacks impact from the start, even with a compelling idea for a suspenseful drama. This is because of the poor execution. Suvin S. Somasekharan’s poor writing, which is clearly seen in the conversations written poorly, wastes several potentially powerful moments, including the climactic performance. Even the ostensibly humorous parts fall flat, generating no laughter beyond a few one-liners that too, eventually, come across as forced. The screenplay fails to properly capitalise on these obviously strong situations. After a while, David and Bala’s relationship takes centre stage, but it’s not really clear how this haughty celebrity improves as an actor as a person as a consequence of it. Regretfully, the writer and director wasted a fantastic chance with Nadikar, which had they chosen to only graze the surface, may have been an engrossing insider tale of a celebrity. In general, there aren’t many sequences that truly stick out, and certainly, there has been random comedy added to get folks laughing.
Verdict;
The Film serves as a reminder of the various struggles faced by celebrities, but lacks emotional connect and impact. Poor writing and screenplay, including the climactic scenes, fail to capitalize on strong situations. Regrettably, the director wasted a fantastic oppurtunity with Nadikar, which could have been an engrossing insider tale of a celebrity.