Courtroom dramas are always intense but, how often are they moving enough to be reflective on your personal lives? Well, Netflix’s latest South Indian release Vaashi does exactly that. Directed by Vishnu G. Raghavi, the screenplay for the film is written by Janiz Chacko Simon and Raghavi himself.
The cast features Tovino Thomas as Ebin and Keerthy Suresh as Madhu as the main leads alongside Kottayam Ramesh, Maya Menon, Baiju Santhosh, Rony David Raj, Anu Mohan, Anagha Narayanan amongst others. The film is produced by G Suresh Kumar along with Menaka Suresh & Revathy Suresh and has a runtime of 123 minutes.
– Netflix’s Vaashi Review Does Not Contain Spoilers –
Vaashi: A World Painted in Grey
Netflix’s Vaashi tells the story of Ebin and Madhu, two lawyers struggling with their own decisions and dilemmas in life. The two friends, who also happen to turn into partners during the course of the movie are taken aback by a case that puts both of them on different ends inside the court. As prosecution and defence, Ebin and Madhu fight a case that not only changes the course of their clients’ lives but, also affects them in deep and inevitable ways.
With the struggle of ego and power at its core, Vaashi gives a different edge to the trope of a courtroom drama offering us characters who are rigid but, understanding and a case where no one is right or wrong.
Raghavi’s latest film is a treat not only due to the intense courtroom scenes shared between Suresh and Thomas but, also due to the close inspection of the lawyers’ lives. Unlike, most courtroom dramas that make the plaintiff and the defendant at the centre, this film revolves around everyone associated with the case, closing on mostly the lawyers at play.
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Tovino Thomas is one talented genius whose acting skills lift up the entire story. He is effortless in his portrayal of Ebin, going through a huge spectrum of emotions and making us invest in him. Keerthy Suresh is a force to behold. She imbibes an aura that is both charismatic as well as serious. Together as Ebin and Madhu, the chemistry these two actors share is overwhelming and hits just the right notes to aid the tune of the tale.
However, what shines the best in this film is its screenplay which is intricate and thoughtful. On the surface, it might just look like another courtroom drama trope that we are accustomed to from films like Section 375 or Pink. However, as the story progresses the underlying themes of consent, desire, partnership, marriage and innocence all thrive together to deliver a wholesome narrative that is fresh, unique and memorable.
Until the end of the case, the audience will surely be pinning their case on one candidate or the other but, with the eventual revelation, the reality of the grey world we live in comes to life. The ending dialogue of the film shared between Suresh and Thomas of the world not always being black and white, does not only puts the perfect conclusion to the story but, also provokes you to look around and know both sides to every coin.
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Vaashi: Final Verdict
Irrespective of being a drama that deals with court, crime and concise, by the end of the day Vaashi is a risk-free, light watch to tune into. It does not painfully draw you to look into the mirror but, leaves you with the afterthought of what if you did delve deeper into the nuances of life to understand a tale better.
From the performances to the screenplay as well as the direction and the rightly added music that makes the story more fleshed out, Vaashi is the drama that puts society into perspective. It explores the areas of assault and feminism but, also shows men in a different light, the light we are rarely fortunate to witness in the world of cinema.
You can watch Vaashi now on Netflix. The film is available in Malayalam, Telegu and Tamil languages.
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