Nenjam Marappathillai Movie Review

Selvaraghavan’s long delayed Nenjam Marappathillai finally makes it to theaters today after crossing many hurdles over the years till the very last minute. The film has SJ Suryah, Regina Cassandra and Nandita Swetha in the lead roles. SJS plays Ramasamy (Ramsay), who is a rich businessman married to Swetha (Nandita); they have a 4 year old kid boy. Things take a turn towards the trademark Selvaraghavan dark zone when Maryam (Regina) enters Ramsay’s household to take care of the boy. The boss lusts on the caregiver and his perverted desires take over his sanity. Nenjam Marappathillai eventually turns into a horror revenge story, after starting off as a dark lustful drama.

The film moves in an extremely entertaining way for the majority of its runtime. SJ Suryah’s knockout performance in a hardcore negative role, and the very many wicked dialogues will hit the right notes with the audience. The boss – maid angle (though disturbing & morally wrong) is quite topical based on what happens in society, and what we see and hear in news reports.

It’s another bold pick by Regina whose character changes the course of the story. Her strong characterization, without any usual commercial inclusions, anchors the film. Nandita Swetha also does justice to her part as the loud, rich, arrogant wife.

Nenjam Marappathillai will inadvertently give you a ‘Kanchana’ feel in the 2nd half when trademark horror effects are presented in a pretty tacky way. These portions might work with the mainstream masses (the so called B, C audiences). The film is replete with Christian motifs and themes related to the religion. Selva hints at a larger good vs. evil showdown in the climax.

Yuvan Shankar Raja always gives his best for Selva, and Nenjam… is another proof of their glorious creative chemistry. All the songs are used beautifully to take the story ahead; “Pondaati Ooruku Poita” and “Kannungala” are visual delights in particular. Arvind Krishna is in charge of the cinematography; the film’s visual tone is deliberately trippy and over the top, to suit the nature of the story and Ramsay’s character.

On the downside, the VFX standard is pretty poor and the latter part of the horror-heavy 2nd half might not work with those expecting the classic Selvaraghavan fare which we experienced in the 1st half.

Nenjam Marappathillai Movie Review Rating: 3.25/5

Reviewed by @Lmkmoviemaniac