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Varathan, a film by Amal Neerad, is a thriller which portrays different shades of voyeurism, misogyny and the lecherous looks of a few men leaving the female protagonist unable to feel safe within her own home. One can easily relate with the film since the story does talk about the paranoia which engulfs females in the society when their instincts tell them about the unsafe environment around them. The film also does justice to the helplessness, fear, pain and outrage experienced by women when they face the evil elements of the society. Its pace is slow but probably the story demanded this pace. The climax scene is gripping.
Abin (Fahadh Faasil) and Priya (Aishwarya Lekshmi) decide to relocate to India from Dubai. They decide to stay in the ancestral property of Priya where the antique things including gun used by Priya’s grandfather are kept safe. Amal Neerad does give clues from the very beginning regarding how intends to unravel the plot. Both Abin and Priya’s nature is established with a scene where a cockroach is seen. Abin just lets it go but Priya kills it immediately telling that she won’t allow the cockroach to enter her home. Priya instinctively picks up cues when she gets the uncomfortable looks from the people in the village and when she expresses this to Abin, he just asks her to ignore. Abin is shown to be having a very cool temperament. How their lives take an about turn when Priya experiences mental torture due to the voyeuristic deeds of Josey (Sharafudheen) and his gang.

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The film is engaging; especially the climax scene is fast, gripping and well shot. Even an important message is conveyed in the last scene that it is high time females stand up for themselves instead of expecting strength and support from their better halves since they are powerful and empowered from within. The film also highlights the importance of creating a society where everybody has the basic right to live in a fear-free environment and feel secure. Abin’s cool demeanour does make one uncomfortable in the beginning but the climax compensates where he transforms into a protector’s role.
Varathan’s cinematography is done by Little Swayamp which is brilliant and in absolute sync with the mood of the film. It captures the beauty of the location so nicely. Faahad, Aishwarya and Sharafuddin are brilliant in their respective roles.
Varathan, a film by Amal Neerad, is a thriller which portrays different shades of voyeurism, misogyny and the lecherous looks of a few men leaving the female protagonist unable to feel safe within her own home. One can easily relate with the film since the story does talk about the paranoia which engulfs females in the society when their instincts tell them about the unsafe environment around them. The film also does justice to the helplessness, fear, pain and outrage experienced by women when they face the evil elements of the society. Its pace is slow but probably the story demanded this pace. The climax scene is gripping.
Rating: 3.5/5 (Good +)