The film is the debut venture of music composer Selvaganesh (of Vennila Kabaddi Kuzhu fame) as a producer. The plot tracks the emotional journey of a guilt-ridden man who finds no way out of the tragedy that has shattered his domestic peace and happiness. He has no one to blame for it, as he was mainly responsible for the situations that led to the tragedy. This knot had the pull, but it seems like the director has failed to exploit its potential. There is a relevant message the film tries to convey. But it gets lost somewhere in the disoriented narration where focus shifts from one issue to another.
The film opens on a suspense-filled note. It depicts a man on a bike on a deserted highway, with a little girl. We soon learn that he is Mukund, and the girl his daughter Meera. Mukund is travelling from Chitradurga to Chennai with an agenda. The narration cuts frequently to the past, revealing in bits and pieces the circumstances that had brought Mukund to the situation he was in. We get to know of Mukund’s marriage to Jenny, an orphan (Vikram Anand- Regina), against his parents wishes. Of Mukund’s desire to provide his wife and daughter a luxurious lifestyle leading him to borrow heavily. Neck deep in debt, the finance company goons threatening the family, and his wife berating him for the mess they were in, Mukund tries to find a way out. Live within your means, the director seems to suggest here. The director maintains an element of suspense and mystery for a length of time. We wonder what the man was running away from and the reason for his grief stricken countenance. But what mars the flow is the leisurely pace of the narration. Vikram Anand as Mukund is just about adequate. Regina in a brief role as Jenny is spirited and plays it just right. Endearing and earning our sympathy is baby Vedhika as Meera.
On his bike-journey on the highway, Mukund encounters a few people. Forced to stop at a roadside dhaba when his bike gets stalled, Mukund and his daughter are given refuge by the kind-hearted Simran (Saranya Nag fitting suitably in the role). Mukund gets a job and a place to stay. Mukund learns a few more lessons of life. He realises that there are others in the world too who have their own tales of woe. And that grief and sorrow are part of life. Simran was betrayed by a man she had trusted. While cop Pandi, a frequent visitor to the dhaba (good job by Moosa), and sharing an easy camarederie with Simran, had a tragic domestic life. The betrayal of Mukund was largely expected. The finale defies logic. Mukund had planned to leave his daughter at a safe place, before facing his final reckoning. So it is incomprehensible, as to what makes him leave her, stranded at midnight, on a deserted road where anything could happen.
The Verdict: Nirnayam had a twist that had potential. If only it had more consistency in its feel, and was crisper in its narration.
Film: Nirnayam
Director: S.S.Srisaravana
Cast: Vikram Anand, Regina,Saranya Nag, Baby Vedhika, Harris Moosa, Raghunath, Kumar.