There is also the questionable usage of a subplot around sexual assault as a device to underline Satya’s evolving humanenness, which becomes further problematic by the on-your-nose execution style by the director. This occasional lack of subtlety bothers all the more because the narrative is so easy-going otherwise, unbothered about its accessibility. The humour through out the narrative is subtle yet sharp, and the laughs come in consistently. (A particular moment alluding to a character gratifying himself left me shocked and cackling at once.)
The film is undoubtedly at its best in the 20 odd minute birthday celebration sequence in the second half, which goes to hilariously unexpected places, encompassing a whole gamut of emotions. Through all their antics and misadventures, we are laughing at the buffoonery of these two grown men, never laughing with them—not when Salman lands up at his ex’s house with a strange request, nor when they boast about their sexual prowess to a stranger.
Shiva Ramchandravarapu is excellent as Satya, particularly bringing great earnestness to moments where he has fewer dialogues. In a story where the communication gap between the protagonist and everyone else plays a major role, Shiva’s performance hits all the right notes. Nithin Prasanna, playing D Salman, is equally marvelous despite his character not being the story’s focal point. The two actors share amazing chemistry, particularly in comic moments, playing off each other’s energy to great results.
When the two characters first meet, there is an awkward formality between them, especially from Satya’s end. From witnessing that moment to then seeing these men forge a friendship of such intimacy without any big eureka moments or a moment of heightened emotion is refreshingly relatable—after all, that’s how life functions.
Like a great sitcom character once said, if you stay in any one place for long enough, you grow the tendency to make it your home. And while life remains transient, you continue to make many homes, only to fly away from them to start afresh again and again. Friendships are the same. Among many other things, Narudi Brathuku Natana gets this right.
Movie: Narudi Brathuku Natana
Cast: Shiva Ramchandravarapu, Nithin Prasanna, Shruti Jayan, Viva Raghav, Aishwarya Anil Kumar
Director: Rishikeshwar Yogi
Rating: 3.5/5
