Nadanna Sambhavam review: Vishnu Narayan weaves an engaging tale about male insecurities

3/5

Nadanna Sambhavam story: After Sukumaran Unni and his family move into a residential colony, the men in the neighbourhood are threatened due to his friendship with the women. The insecurities peak after a few of them resort to rumour-mongering amid their evening booze parties. Things take a turn when Unni is confronted by one of them after finding him with another woman at his house, and the police get involved. 

Nadanna Sambhavam review: The promo materials of Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramoodu’s Nadanna Sambhavam hinted that the film would revolve around an incident that happens in a residential colony. A lot of the audience could have easily been reminded of several such movies including Ayalathe Adeham. These films inherently revolved around neighbours who have a habit of eavesdropping or rumour-mongering about others who seemingly lead a much better life than them. While Vishnu Narayan’s Nadanna Sambhavam has these obvious elements weaved in, what makes it stand out is how the filmmaker and its scriptwriter Rajesh Gopinadhan has taken an easily relatable story and presented in a way that the family entertainer about male insecurities almost becomes chilling after it exposes the trauma that accompanies certain incidents in a household. 

Given that the film revolves around a group of men and their ire towards a new neighbour, Sreekumaran Unni (Biju Menon), who quickly becomes friends with the women in the neighbourhood, the story places the male characters in the foreground. The women here, except for Lijomol’s character, don’t quite add to the plot but are essential in how this story unfolds. 

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The crux of Nadanna Sambhavam is about what happens when Unni is confronted by Ajith (Suraj Venjaramoodu), after the latter is offended by an advice that he had shared with his wife. When the cops too become involved after a physical assault, things take a turn. Again, these are stories that the audience are familiar with from previous Malayalam movies but Vishnu and Rajesh dwell deep into this seemingly simple story to expose how men react to these situations and how their insecurities act out in ways that are toxic and damaging, not just to others but also themselves. 

It's not just the main characters that are given space in this film, but even people who have just two-minute scenes - including of a jilted lover and judgmental police officers - get to show a side of the male ego, adding an extra layer to the film. 

But what truly elevates Nadanna Sambhavam is what happens when Ajith comes home, after not being able to make peace with what has happened to him. Vishnu shows these events through children, thereby registering the trauma and the scars such events can have on families. 

Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramoodu are apt in their roles, which required them to portray restrained reactions but play contrasting characters. Suraj, especially, as the alpha male gets the meatier part and delivers a fine performance. Biju showcases another side of him as an actor in such kinds of movies. Sudhi Koppa, Shruti Ramachandran and Johny Antony too deserve a pat on their backs for acing their roles. 

Lijomol shines in her role, especially in scenes featuring her character and that of her husband played by Suraj. Lijomol encapsulates the fear and repulsion that her character feels for her husband while also showcasing the toll it is taking on her. The makers also discuss a topic that is considered taboo by the society through her character. That said, it would have been better if the makers did use her character better in the climax, rather than resort to the two male characters going up against each other. But that's what you get from a progressive film through a male perspective.

Nadanna Sambhavam Trailer – Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramoodu disagree about 'wife' matters 

The film's music by Ankit Menon and editing by Saiju Sreedharan and Toby John make Nadanna Sambhavam, an engaging watch.

Nadanna Sambhavam verdict: At just two hours, embedded with a thought-provoking message and great performances, Biju Menon and Suraj Venjaramoodu’s film makes for an engaging watch.