Nadikar

Nadikar is Directed by Jean Paul Lal and written by Suvin Somasekharan. Nadikar is not another of those feel-good entertainers. It’s a clever, funny, and occasionally brutally honest look at what goes on behind the curtain of the film business, backboned by equal parts humor and heart.

Plot

The protagonist of Nadikar is a young man with a simple but big dream — he wants to be a superstar. The protagonist, played by Tovino Thomas (one of Malayalam cinema’s most endearing actors of late), is a package of ambition, passion and, well, restlessness. The movie guides us along his path as he attempts to ascend the steep, slick ladder of fame.

But, as he finds, fame isn’t stockable in a gift-wrapped package. Sacrifices must be made, relationships tested, and there are tons of obstacles people don’t list in their glamour magazine interviews. From bad auditions to nightly self-doubt, from phony friends to sudden enemies — every step comes with a price.

Concurrently, we follow other figures who circle around him: mentors, critics, friends, fans, rivals, each adding their own dash of local color to this roller-coaster ride of a tale.

Direction

This balancing act is a testament to Jean Paul Lal’s extraordinary ability to mix humour with more profound feelings. “Nadikar” (which translates to “actor”) is, to be sure, an entertaining film, but the director Jean Paul Lal doesn’t pull bubbles over the audience’s eyes: He isn’t afraid to wander into the darker realms of fame.

His direction encapsulates the glittering surface and the delicate underbelly of the film world. The humor slides in easily, and it’s never a stretch. When the emotional beats land, they land hard without slipping into melodrama. Most importantly, however, the film never slows down, so that you will never be bored watching it.

Nadikar is also based on coming-of-age: Jean Paul Lal’s knowledge of the industry, the fun parts and the pain, come across in every scene; it’s a believable story and a fun watch.

Writing

The script by the film’s dialoguemeister Suvin Somasekharan deserves due credit for this sense of contemporaneity and novelty. His writing neatly sidesteps the usual clichés of “rise and fall” tales — instead, it is a nuanced examination of what it means to pursue fame in today’s world.

The conversations are snappy, chock full of pithy one-liners and, occasionally, heartbreakingly honest. The characters ring true — they’re not overly exaggerated caricatures but people one can imagine really existing in the glamorous precincts of the movies. Whether the backhanded compliments of competitors or the unconditional support of besties, Suvin exposes the complicated emotional rainforest of those with the high-gloss spotlight trained on them.

Cast

At the heart of Nadikar is Tovino Thomas, who yet again shows that he is one of the most versatile actors in Malayalam cinema. His portrayal of the would-be superstar is at once beguiling and pathetic. Tovino quickly jumps from his comic timing to his emotional breakdowns as well as to his insecurities, which every aspirant has its own shares of.

His character isn’t perfect — and therein lies his appeal. You root for him, grow irritated with him, and, occasionally, feel sorry for him — all thanks to how Tovino brings this man to genuine life.

A sturdy supporting turn from the ever-reliable Soubin Shahir provides some depth and wit. Whether he is acting as a trusted friend, quirky assistant or a gregarious critic, Soubin’s impeccable comic timing is behind a good amount of fun quotient in the film. But under that mockery lies real warmth; his character ends up one of the emotional anchors of the story.

Bhavana, in a graceful performance, plays the female lead and Tovino’s opposite reinforcement on this roller-coaster genre trip. Bhavana’s character represents the steady and calm to the hero’s over the top highs and lows of being a celebrity. She plays to her character with force, compassion, and an adult like air of the necessity of actual connections in a world that revolves around validation by surface.

Additionally, there’s a variety of experienced and new faces in the supporting cast for added depth to the story. Every character — whether a feuding actor, an exhausted director or a domineering studio head — is adding a brick to the world-building here, so much that the story feels lived-in and multi-dimensional.

Music

A movie about the movies must have an indelible soundtrack, and Yakzan Gary Pereira and Neha Nair rise to the challenge. The songs run the gamut of the characters’ emotions — from peppy, fun numbers that show off the glamour of the showbiz world to soulful ballads that express the emotional cost of pursuing dreams.

The ominousness of the background score is calibrated to perfection, lending tension where necessary and allowing the humor to breathe in easier scenes.

Cinematography

Albie does the cinematography himself and stages something visually pleasurable that mirrors both the glamour and the grime of the movie industry. Bright, colorful shots during splashy promotional moments for their films are juxtaposed with the darker, moodier frames in which the pair appear alone and in moments of self-doubt and emotional collapse.

Nadikar’s visual language goes a long way in creating an immersion for the audience in the bi-sexual world of public adoration and private strife.

Production

Nadikar is bankrolled by Allan Antony and Anoop Venugopal under the banner Godspeed in association with Y. Naveen & Y. Ravi Shankar of Mythri Movie Makers. This partnership means the film will receive the scale and polish it deserves.

From sumptuous sets to legitimate behind-the-scenes reproduction of how films are shot, the level of production also brings in an extra layer of realism that makes Nadikar feel at once glamorous and grounded.

Themes

Although hilarious and entertaining, Nadikar has a number of important issues:

The Price of Fame

And while the shimmer of fame might be appealing, the film has a message for us about its drawbacks — the need to remain in the public eye at all times, the pressure of relentless public scrutiny and the loss of privacy.

Insecurity and Self-Worth

The movie looks at how even the most successful of stars grapple with self-doubt. Every new actor or actress to join the scene is a new threat and every bad review seems like a personal attack.

What’s So Important About the Real?

In a realm of false flatterers, parasites and opportunists, the rare souls of loyal friends and loved ones are even more precious. The whole film stresses the importance of real people keeping a person sane.

Art vs. Business

Nadikar also sheds light on the ceaseless tug between creative fulfilment and commercial demands — a common challenge for actors and filmmakers alike.

Audience Reception

Nadikar was quickly accepted by the audience and the critics. The audience enjoyed it for its fresh take on a tired premise, strong performances and clever writing that remained relatively chipper without seeming reductive.

It resonated in particular with younger viewers who connected with the idea of being crushed by the pursuit of their high-flown dreams in a competitive world.

FAQs

Similar Movie

Geethanjali Malli Vachindi