Several exciting movies are set to release in the first week of May, including ‘Sabari’, featuring Varalaxmi Sarathkumar in the lead role. Known for her impressive performances in typical Telugu films, Varalaxmi’s venture into a woman-centric role has drawn considerable attention to ‘Sabari’. Let’s take a closer look at this film.
Sabari Story: Sanjana (Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar) faces loneliness after her mother’s death and her father’s remarriage during her youth. Despite objections from her father and stepmother, she marries Arvind (Ganesh Venkatraman), but they separate due to selfishness after the birth of their daughter, Riya (Baby Niveksha).
Determined to make a living independently, Sanjana seeks employment and rents a house with her friend. Just as she starts to settle, her life takes a dark turn with the arrival of Surya (Mime Gopi), a psycho intent on harming Sanjana and kidnapping her daughter. Will Surya stop at nothing to achieve his sinister goals? What is the mysterious connection between Sanjana and Surya? How will Sanjana protect herself and her daughter from his dangerous schemes? Find out the answers by watching ‘Sabari’.
Performances: Varalakshmi Sarath Kumar showcased her exceptional acting prowess in the title role of ‘Shabari’, marking her debut in a full-length emotional role for Telugu audiences. Her portrayal as a single mother was sincere and compelling, capturing the audience’s emotions effortlessly. Mime Gopi, known for his negative roles, delivered a chilling performance as the psycho antagonist, leaving a haunting impact in every scene he appeared.
Ganesh Venkatraman complemented Varalakshmi well in his role, delivering a commendable performance. Sunaina and Shashank portrayed the heroine’s friends adequately. Madhunandan convincingly played the role of a police officer, while Archana Ananth and Ashrita Vemuganti also delivered strong performances as the stepmother and mother characters, respectively. Overall, the entire cast contributed effectively to the film with their noteworthy performances.
Technical Aspects: Director Anil Katz’s innovative approach of depicting a single mother’s life as a psychological thriller in ‘Shabari’ is commendable. The film starts slowly but gains momentum with suspenseful sequences, particularly in the pre-interval phase. Despite a brief slow start in the second half, the movie picks up towards the pre-climax, leading to a satisfying twist in the climax. Varalakshmi’s performance shines in her confrontation with the villain. Gopi Sundar‘s cinematography and background score elevate the film’s atmosphere, despite modest production values. Overall, ‘Shabari’ offers an engaging and unique storyline worth experiencing.
Analysis: In summary, ‘Shabari’ offers a captivating blend of thrills and emotional depth in its portrayal of a single mother’s journey. Varalakshmi Sarathkumar’s performance is captivating and worth experiencing on the big screen this weekend.
Verdict: Overall, ‘Sabari’ presents an intriguing concept for a psychological thriller, but it ultimately disappoints in delivering a satisfying experience. The film lacks the necessary thrills despite its promising premise. Varalaxmi Sarathkumar delivers a commendable performance, and there are a few engaging moments scattered throughout. However, with more attention to the screenplay, the film could have achieved a far better outcome.
Bottom Line: First woman-centric film
Rating: 2.5/5
