Anupama Parameswaran pinned big hopes on her latest film Paradha, directed by Praveen Kandregula. Released on August 22, the movie is set around a fictional ritual. The key question is, did it impress the audience and meet Anupama’s expectations?
Paradha Movie Story: Paradha is set in the village of Padathi, where a strict custom is followed, every girl who comes of age must wear a veil. If she is ever seen by a man other than her father or husband without it, she is forced to sacrifice her life before the village goddess Jwalamma.
The story follows Subbu (Anupama Parameswaran), who becomes a victim of this tradition despite not being at fault. What trouble does she face? Who causes it? And how do her mother-in-law (Sangeetha) and Delhi-based Amishta (Darshana Rajendran) come to her aid? The film explores these questions.
Performances: Anupama Parameswaran delivers one of her career-best performances in Paradha. She beautifully brings out the fears and responsibilities of a simple young woman. In the second half, the scene where she holds the veil and cries, “This should protect me,” stands out for its mix of pain and anger. This film fully showcases her acting talent.
Malayalam actress Darshana Rajendran makes a strong Telugu debut as an independent woman, even dubbing for herself. Senior actress Sangeetha impresses as a housewife, especially in her scenes with Harshavardhan. Rag Mayur adds depth with his portrayal of a man’s mindset, while Harshavardhan’s comedy works in parts. Rajendra Prasad shines in a short role, and Gautham Vasudev Menon’s cameo adds charm.
Technical Aspects: Cinematographer Mridul Sujit Sen ’s work stands out with natural visuals, as all locations were real and free from artificial effects. Gopi Sundar’s songs and background score were good, but the same theme was repeated too often, reducing the impact in emotional scenes. Production design, art work, and CGI were solid.
Though Praveen wrote the story, Poojitha, Prahas, and Krishna Pratyusha also contributed. The film had a strong concept, but execution lacked depth and emotional grip. While the Jwalamma Jathara episode worked, later scenes failed to engage. Some moments like Harshavardhan’s satire and Rag Mayur’s railway station scene stood out, yet overall emotion was missing. The climax felt too simple, leaving the impact weak. Paradha had content but missed the soul.
Analysis: Paradha tried to explore a new idea, but weak execution stopped it from leaving an impact. Instead of becoming a milestone, it remained just an average film.
Verdict: Paradha attempts a bold subject but falters in execution, making it an average watch instead of a path-breaking film.
Bottom Line: A bold idea, but weakly executed.
Rating: 2/5
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