Anjaamai review: A well-intentioned tale that gets a tad too preachy and melodramatic

SP Subburaman’s Anjaamai couldn’t have been released at a better time.

The Vidaarth-starrer is releasing two days after the announcement of NEET UG results for the year 2024, amidst speculations that the paper was leaked and a section of students have demanded reexamination.

Anjaamai is a well-intentioned story on so many levels and it raises some very pertinent questions on the need for a common entrance test like NEET and how unimaginably strenuous it becomes for both students and parents.

As much as the film comes across as an attempt at noble thoughts, it gets way too preachy and melodramatic which makes it, at times, a tedious watch.

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Synopsis

The story is centred on a small family headlined by Sarkaar (Vidaarth), who plays a theater artist-cum-farmer.

When Sarkaar’s son dreams of becoming a doctor, he gets unrelenting support from his father who puts everything on the line to fulfil his son’s dream.

When the time comes for Sarkaar’s son to take the NEET exam, bureaucratic errors and systemic obstacles threaten his future. This leads to a shocking turn of events, pushing him into a gripping quest for justice.

Forced scenes

A lot of what Anjaamai wants to bring to the forefront feels relatable but also extremely forced. It’s as though first-time writer-director SP Subburaman’s sole intention in making this film was to make his audience shed a few tears.

While there’s nothing wrong in a story genuinely being emotional, one can’t force that experience down someone’s throat.

The film operates as a moving family drama in the first half with Vidaarth shining through most of it via an earnest performance.

Interestingly, the second half becomes a courtroom drama and the initial minutes are gripping but as the story progresses, it becomes very dreary to sit through.

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Raises pertinent points on NEET

Anjaamai raises important questions about the abolition of NEET, but it takes a very boring route to make its point.

It’s not a film you can outright reject, but wish it was dealt with more maturity. It needed a filmmaker who handled this subject with some sensitivity, instead of emotionally manipulating audiences.

Having said that, Anjaamai will remain an important film that boldly discusses the horrors of common entrance tests and the price people pay for them.

It is purely for this intent, that the film deserves some praise, let alone for anything else.

Apart from Vidaarth, you get a memorable performance from Rahman, who plays a cop in the first half and a lawyer post-interval.

Some of the courtroom argument scenes are hard-hitting and as an audience, you nod in agreement with the points that are discussed.

Verdict

If not for the overly melodramatic scenes and amateurish writing, Anjaamai could have made a lasting impact. However, it’s a bold take on entrance exams like NEET.

(Views expressed here are personal.)