Written and directed by Nithin Renji Panicker, Nagendran’s Honeymoons is Hotstar’s newest series that showcases the story of Nagendran, a lazy man with no prospects who wants to lead a carefree life, who decides to go to the Gulf to earn money but realises that he will need money to pay for the Visa process. Desperate, he decides to marry different women from different regions in order to get their dowries and thus fund his dreams.
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Nagendran’s Honeymoons Cast
Suraj Venjaramoodu, Grace Antony, Kani Kusruthi, Shwetha Menon, Alphy Panjikaran, Niranjana Anoop
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Nagendran’s Honeymoons Series Episodes
6 (around 35 minutes)
It’s clear to us from the get-go that Suraj Venjaramoodu’s new series Nagendran’s Honeymoons (നാഗേന്ദ്രൻസ് ഹണിമൂൺസ്) is as much a social commentary as it is a light-hearted watch about a lazy and entitled man dreaming of making it big in the Gulf countries, like many others. The concept of dowry is also a very prevalent discussion in the series, which, although wrong, steers Nagendra’s life in more ways than one.
However, the series is hilarious, especially because of its fantastic performances. Suraj Venjaramoodu, as the titular protagonist, leaves us feeling somehow bad for him because he literally has no prospects and is so annoyingly innocent that you are sure that the half-baked plan he concocts with Soman is going to crash and burn before it even starts. Venjaramoodu showcases a vulnerability to him that is infectious and humorous and although we hate men who marry under false pretences, there’s something about his performance that sets him apart from those around him.
Thus, the storyline is enriched by Venjaramoodu and his character. He is awkward and confused about this new reality and clearly not suited for the scam that he is about to commit. His performance is so hilarious that it makes you feel bad for him, even though he keeps on marrying to get his hands on the dowry. The good thing about the story is that Nagendran faces karma the moment he marries a woman he shouldn’t be. Grace Antony’s Lillikutty episode was by far my favourite – it’s hilarious to watch the man sweat in the face of real danger!
Every sham marriage he gets into just turns into one hilarious bungle after another. The series’ genius is that it keeps things going and keeps everything fresh while reminding us that scamming people never turns out to be good for the scammer in the long run. The storyline is pulled forward in a way that is brimming with intensity and its light-hearted nuggets are infectious. A combination of this makes it a hoot to watch and you can’t help but wonder what comes next. That being said, the story, as a whole, has some expected twists and turns, especially the ending but that is fine because the execution is done very well.
However, it’s the women in this series who truly steal the cake. Although the protagonist is clearly Nagendran, these women, with their own unique problems, wants and needs feel real and relatable. Their ordeals make us root for them and although we don’t see them too much, their characters and performances leave a lasting impression. Grace Antony, Kani Kusruthi, Shwetha Menon, Alphy Panjikaran and Niranjana Anoop are all fantastic in their roles, with all of them bringing different barriers for Nagendran to cross. I was thoroughly invested in each other their backstories, which, even though not a lot, is enough to paint a vivid picture of the characters.
The series makes important points about greed and consequences in a light-hearted fashion that creates an impact without going over the top. There are also some very emotional storylines that will toy with your emotions. There isn’t only humour and laughter, some people’s stories will genuinely move you and the sheer desperation of some situations is worth mulling over. In the end, the series leaves your heart a little heavy for these women who are still under the thumb of patriarchy, where their lives are ruled by the men who surround them. And it’s these nuanced moments that make the storyline richer.
Nagendran’s Honeymoons Review: Final Thoughts
Nagendran’s Honeymoons is surprisingly funny and engaging that shines because of its sincere performances across the board. The series is an entertaining watch that brings in different flavours some drama, thrills and humour to the table and keeps things moving at a good pace so that we don’t lose interest.
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