Nila review: This well-intentioned movie from director Indu Lakshmi celebrates womanhood

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By Arjun Ramachandran

26/03/2023

Nila, also known as Bharathapuzha, is the second-longest river in Kerala. With some cultural aspects Indu Lakshmi has taken a women-oriented subject — for her directorial debut.

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Indu Lakshmi’s Nila has characters aged above 60 years. Malathy (Shanti Krishna) is a gynaecologist and the protagonist of the story. Rahman (Mamu Koya) assists Malathy.

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Writer-director Indu Lakshmi gives much importance to Malathy who can be referred to as a superhero-like character: DC’s Wonder Woman.

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The story picks up momentum after Nila’s revelation about her life and Malathy decides to help her. In the end, Malathy’s efforts to rescue Nila become a major highlight of the movie.

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In the second phase of her career, Shanthi Krishna as Malathy shines in a role that offers good humour and comic timing. Some of her one-liners here leave the audience in splits.

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Nila speaks the local Kannur slang that is trending of late with more films like Pranaya Vilasam and Enkilum Chandrike using it.

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Vineeth as Mahi is a man of the new generation but understands the importance of the values upheld by her mom only at the end of the movie.

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Appu N Bhattathiri’s editing helps the movie as it is trimmed to 95 minutes.

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The film is produced by Kerala Film Development Corporation under their scheme to encourage upcoming women directors.

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Nila is a female-oriented movie that showcases the abilities of a wheelchair-bound elderly woman. It deserves a huge round of applause for its bold theme.

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