Naari Review: Aamani steals the show in this otherwise predictable social drama

Naari Review: Aamani gives one of her career-best performances in the film, which has been directed by Surya Vantipalli. The film also has Pragathi and Mounika Reddy in key roles.

2.5/5

Naari film review

Naari Story

Minister Bhupathi’s (Naga Mahesh) son and his friends commit a heinous crime against a young woman. Lawyer Sharada (Pragathi) takes up the case, determined to ensure strict punishment. Despite the minister’s threats, she stands firm. During this fight, she recalls the life of Bharati (Aamani), a woman who mirrors the struggles of an average woman in society. Facing discrimination from her father and being forced into an unwanted marriage, Bharati takes bold steps, even punishing wrongdoers within her own family. Her courageous journey and relentless pursuit form the core and how it is related to the story is the major suspense.

Naari Review

Surya Vantipalli has written and directed Naari, a hard-hitting female-centric film. Naari is a social drama that highlights the atrocities faced by women today. The film showcases the struggles women endure, from their school days to college, marriage, and how they are often looked down upon in society.

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One of the biggest assets of Naari is its casting, particularly Aamani. She is doing solid roles in her second innings and plays the female lead. Her story is depicted across different age groups and the veteran actress delivers a stellar performance, and her screen presence makes the issues portrayed in the film feel highly relatable.

The solutions offered for the problems women face today are intriguing and, to an extent, believable. The way the crime drama intertwines with the injustices women experience is well-executed by the director. However, he takes too long to reach the main plot. Several scenes feel predictable, giving a sense of déjà vu, as if they have been seen in other films. 

The first half is slow and contains excessive melodrama. The emotional turmoil that women endure is conveyed through some heart-touching moments. The climax stands out as one of the film’s major highlights, and the way the director concludes the women’s struggles is compelling.

Naari begins on a gripping note with a minister’s son brutally raping a young woman. How the minister attempts to manipulate the legal system through a lawyer keeps the audience engaged, and these aspects are well-handled in the film. However, an overdose of drama affects the narration. 

The excessive portrayal of pain and emotional suffering was unnecessary, and the rushed storytelling in certain parts is slightly disappointing. In terms of performances, Pragathi is a perfect fit as the lawyer, adding depth to the narrative and holding the audience’s attention. 

Mounika Reddy, who plays the younger version of Aamani, is also fabulous in her role. She is a promising talent with great potential. However, it is Aamani who carries the film. As a sincere teacher, she delivers an emotionally powerful performance that moves the audience to tears. 

Vinod Kumar’s music is decent, but the background score is overly loud. The film did not need to sound so melodramatic in every scene. The production values are decent given the budget, though the editing in the first half could have been much tighter. Overall, Naari has a hard-hitting story, though it does not offer anything particularly new. However, the modern-day message it conveys makes all the difference.

Naari Verdict

On the whole, Naari is a social drama that shows the plight of women who face atrocities right from their childhood. Though the story is a bit routine and the drama is a bit overdone in places, Aamani's outstanding performance holds your attention and makes this film a passable watch this weekend.

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