Naradan Telugu Movie Review: Is Tovino Thomas’ Malayalam Thriller on Aha Worth Your Time?
The Malayalam film “Naradan,” which initially premiered in 2022 and was available on Prime Video, has now been dubbed into Telugu and is streaming on Aha. With a runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes, the movie is said to be set against the backdrop of media. While some suggest its title might have been more aptly “Narakan” (hell) due to the experience, this review dives into what this film offers Telugu audiences.
Movie Overview
Originally released in Malayalam, “Naradan” is now being presented to Telugu audiences by Aha. The film has a considerable runtime of 2 hours and 27 minutes. The reviewer noted feeling “sacrificed” just 20 minutes into the film.
Plot Summary
The basic storyline revolves around an honest journalist who, at a certain point, becomes disillusioned. He then helps a channel called “Naradan” grow by using footage recorded with secret cameras. The narrative explores the events that unfold, the impact of secretly revealing truths, the situations it leads to, and what ultimately transpires. The film contains no adult content and can be watched with family.
What Worked (Plus Points)
Among the few commendable aspects, Tovino Thomas impresses in a role with villainous shades, reminiscent of his performance in “Maari 2.” Anna Ben and Indrajith also deliver strong performances, particularly in the climax. Technical merits include some impressive camera frames and night-time shots. The concluding 40 minutes, featuring a courtroom drama, were noted as “okay” compared to the rest of the film.
What Didn’t Work (Minus Points)
A major drawback is the pacing, with the main story reportedly starting only in the second half, leaving the first half filled with seemingly unnecessary conversations. The reviewer felt the film delivered almost one hour and fifty minutes of “torture,” describing it as extremely slow, even compared to other Malayalam films. The journey of the hero’s “rise” felt more exhausting than engaging. The Telugu dubbing presented issues for some characters, notably Anna Ben, whose voice didn’t quite suit. Furthermore, the background music (BGM) in the Telugu dubbed version was significantly lowered, making it feel almost absent, like a fan-dubbed version. The climax, specifically the courtroom drama, was felt to be cut short, despite the already lengthy runtime, leaving viewers wishing for more.
Final Verdict & Rating
“Naradan” is described as largely filled with unnecessary and boring content, attempting to induce sleep for a significant portion of its runtime. Aside from the final 40 minutes of courtroom drama, the rest of the movie is characterized as “boring, boring, boring.” Based on this opinion, the film receives a rating of 2 out of 5, with the recommendation being “only for the last 40 minutes.”
