In an era of realistic filmmaking, this latest Malayalam release with Dhyan Sreenivasan in the lead, opts to focus on life lessons.
Published Jul 31, 2024 | 8:34 PM ⚊ Updated Jul 31, 2024 | 8:36 PM
Dhyan Sreenivasan's 'Secret' received unfavourable reviews from both critics and audiences. (Supplied)
SN Swamy, well known for scripting thrillers, is behind hits such as Moonnam Mura (1988) and Irupatham Noottandu (1987).
The former set an opening day record and enjoyed successful runs in Tamil Nadu and Andhra Pradesh for over 150 and 100 days, respectively, whereas the latter attained cult status in Malayalam cinema, eventually being remade in Kannada and Telugu.
SN Swamy makes his directorial debut with Secret, featuring actor-filmmaker, Dhyan Sreenivasan. Given Swamy’s three-decade reputation as a veteran scriptwriter, expectations were high.
Did Swamy’s choice of casting Dhyan Sreenivasan, who views acting as merely a job, pay off? Did the film live up to the trailer’s promises? Was the final result satisfying? Well…
While watching Secret, one might wonder if SN Swamy wrote it, given its lack of thrilling elements. The film prioritises moral lessons over engaging storytelling.
The Secret trailer promised a thrilling plot with Dhyan Sreenivasan’s character receiving premonitions of others’ misfortunes.
However, the execution falls short of this promise. The treatment feels outdated, resembling poorly made 90s cinema.
Secret is a straightforward motivational drama focusing on Mithun (Dhyan Sreenivasan), who seeks to perform good deeds to avoid a foretold disaster, as predicted by an astrologer during his trip to Thanjavur for a wedding.
Mithun and his friends rush to prevent the predicted tragedy, discovering he must save three lives to change his fate. Renjith’s character, a proponent of superstition and astrology, advises him on this quest.
As Mithun learns he needs to save three lives, a series of problems begin to surface around him, almost as if awaiting his intervention.
Secret revolves around Mithun’s attempts to address these issues and save lives.
Unfortunately, the film relies on outdated themes and lacks depth, with characters engaging in astrology, science, and psychology.
Its heavy-handed motivational approach feels out of sync with modern sensibilities.
In an era of realistic filmmaking, Secret opts to deliver life lessons instead. The film’s writing is a major disappointment, with lead characters engaging in illogical actions.
Many scenes, including the climax, lack justification. Overall, Secret is a misstep from a scriptwriter known for crafting gripping thrillers in Malayalam.
Secret lacks standout performances. Dhyan Sreenivasan’s portrayal of Mithun is marked by noticeable disinterest, leaving the audience puzzled. His performance, ultimately, contributes little; which is both surprising and disappointing.
Similarly, Aparna Das and Jacob Gregory, Mithun’s friends, make minimal impact, and the other characters equally lack substantial roles.
Renjith portrays a motivational speaker with a psychological bent, but his modern perspective feels impractical. It appears Swamy used Renjith’s character to advance his life philosophies.
Jakes Bejoy’s music is a highlight, but Secret’s technical elements are only average. Despite high expectations, the film falls short of the pre-release hype.
(Edited by S Subhakeerthana)
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