Viraj Ashwin became popular with Baby, but his later films and even his key role in Hi Nanna couldn’t boost his career. Now, he is back with the 7-episode web series Gurthukostunnayi, streaming on ETV Win from July 3rd. Let’s see if it entertains the audience.
Gurthukostunnayi Story: Santosh (Viraj Ashwin) and Vaishali (Yashashree Rao) are childhood lovers. After clearing several conditions set by Vaishali’s father, they are ready to get married. Before the wedding, Santosh secretly goes to Goa with his friends for a bachelor party. On the way, he meets with an accident and loses his memory. With the wedding just days away, his family and friends try to solve the problem. Whether Santosh regains his memory is the rest of the story.
Performances: Viraj Ashwin gives a routine performance, while Yashashree Rao fails to make an impact. Priyadarshini Ram stands out with a strong performance as the principal. Viva Raghav, Shivannarayana, and JD add some comedy, and senior actors Goparaju Ramana and Subhalekha Sudhakar do well in their roles.
Technical Aspects: Gurthukostunnayi is another childhood friendship-based series, similar to many familiar films. The first three episodes are slow, but the story becomes engaging from the fourth episode. The fifth and sixth episodes blend comedy and suspense, while the finale delivers strong emotions.
Though the story is predictable, the screenplay feels fresh. Nostalgic references to 90s songs, CDs, and cassettes work well. The dialogues are decent, though a few feel over the top. Suhas’s music and the production values are satisfactory.
Analysis: Gurthukostunnayi offers a nostalgic feel but lacks the emotional impact of Committee Kurrollu. Still, it’s a decent one-time OTT watch for the weekend.
Verdict: Gurthukostunnayi is a decent one-time watch that scores with its nostalgic moments and emotional finale. Though the slow start and weak emotional connection hold it back, it works as a light weekend OTT entertainer.
Bottom Line: Decent OTT entertainer.
Rating: 2.5/5
