Neetho, starring Aberaam Varma, Saathvika Raj, is a breezy rom-com that sheds new light on urban relationships

Neetho, a romantic comedy starring Aberaam Varma, Saathvika Raj, which hit theatres the previous weekend, marks the directorial debut of Balu Sharma. The film, also featuring Ravi Varma, Sunjiit Akkinepally, Neha Krishna, Kavya Raman, Apoorva Srinivasan, Mohit Baid, Pavithra Lokesh, Padmajaa El, Rajeev Kanakala and others, was bankrolled by Avr Swamy, M R Kirtana and Snehal Jangala under Pruthvi Creations and Million Dreams.

Story:

Varun is a young insurance agent, whose relationship with his girlfriend Anusha runs into troubled waters. He bumps into a Meghana, the daughter of an elite businessman, at work. Meghana is on the cusp of marriage but destiny has other ideas for her. Even before Varun and Meghana could move on from their past, they end up falling for one another. Given the baggage of their previous relationships, they’re cautious about taking their equation forward. Will their relationship survive the test of time?

Review:

Neetho is a fine example to show how no relationship is above calculations and rough patches, more so in a metropolitan setup. Interestingly enough, the film’s protagonist Varun is an insurance agent, whose life revolves around numbers, and calculations - it’s not surprising that he overthinks and messes up his head with many theories in his life too. Confusion ensues when this middle-class man, who has barely come to terms with his break-up, falls in love with another woman born with a silver spoon.

The clash of two opposite worlds makes for interesting viewing. The film is basically about two wounded souls having a go at romance again and not being sure about the path ahead. The equation is complicated because the relationship comes in the way of the guy’s profession - Varun’s job is dependent on Meghana’s insurance policy. Is this a relationship of convenience? Are Varun and Meghana merely on a rebound? Neetho doesn’t settle for convenient answers and that’s why it works, at least for the most part.

For a first-time director, Balu Sharma has immense clarity about the vibe and the visual mood of the film - he builds its ambience with a delicacy and sensitivity one doesn’t often come across in relationship dramas. He digs deep into the minds of his lead characters, their ambiguities, dark areas and presents a fairly realistic picture of the highs and lows in their relationship. The film isn’t about their romance alone but also the many variables that can affect it.

Varun and Meghana don’t know each other’s likes and dislikes for a long time and even on the only occasion where Meghana meets Varun’s mother, she isn’t quite appreciative of her food. It’s believable when one of them asks, ‘aren’t we progressing rather quickly?’ - is it just the ‘honeymoon’ phase in a relationship or is there more to it? Time and again, the director also hints at the class differences that may crop up later.

The characters of Varun’s colleagues, his good ol’ wise uncle and their conversations are attempts to peel the banana and offer the essence of the story to the viewer. However, they aren’t as well-rounded as the leads. It would’ve been wonderful to know a little more about the colleague whose wife is threatening him with a divorce or the divorced uncle who offers relationship advice to Varun.

It isn’t easy to conclude a story of this nature and no wonder, the climax feels slightly rushed. At times, the film goes around in circles with several sequences that don’t convey anything significant. The conversations in Neetho are situational for the most part, but get slightly showy, indulgent in the second hour and ‘philosophises’ too much beyond necessity.

Aberaam Varma and Saathvika Raj are aptly cast for their roles and here are actors who understand the matured, composed tone of the film, portraying the complex personalities of their characters with ease. Ravi Varma and Sunjiit Akkinepally do well within the scope of their characters and Rajeev Kanakala is as dependable as ever with a chirpy, lively performance.

Gururaj Manepalli, Padmaja and Pavitra Lokesh deliver what’s expected of them. Vivek Sagar’s vibrant songs, Smaran’s score, the impressive production design and Sundar Ram Krishnan’s beautifully lit frames are among other aspects that work for the film.

Verdict:

Neetho explores several grey areas in modern-day relationships with maturity. Aberaam Varma and Saathvika Raj headline the film with confidence and are backed by terrific contributions on the technical front - the cinematography, music and production design in particular. The director Balu Sharma is certainly a talent to watch out for.