Narivetta (2025) Movie Movierulz

Narivetta is a 2025 Malayalam action drama directed by Anuraj Manohar and written by Abin Joseph. The film stars Tovino Thomas, Suraj Venjaramoodu, and Cheran in his Malayalam debut. Based on the 2003 Muthanga Incident, this socially relevant film explores themes of police brutality and tribal rights.

The movie was released on May 23, 2025 with a runtime of 138 minutes. Produced by Tippushan and Shiyas, the film features cinematography by Vijay and music by Jakes Bejoy. It attempts to bring a controversial real-life incident to mainstream cinema while maintaining commercial appeal.

Narivetta Film Casting

Plot and Storyline

The story follows a police officer investigating state-sanctioned violence against tribal communities. The narrative centers on the 2003 Muthanga incident, showing multiple perspectives on this significant event in Kerala’s tribal rights movement.

The film presents how different stakeholders view the same events differently. While the subject matter is compelling, the execution sometimes falters with unnecessary subplots and pacing issues that detract from the main story.

Cast Performance

Tovino Thomas brings intensity to his role as the investigating officer, though his performance feels somewhat artificial at times. Cheran’s Malayalam debut struggles with language barriers and lacks the natural flow expected from such an experienced actor.

Arya stands out as one of the film’s stronger elements, bringing authenticity and emotional depth. Suraj Venjaramoodu delivers a solid performance that adds credibility to the narrative.

Direction and Technical Aspects

Director Anuraj Manohar shows understanding of the subject matter and handles dramatic sequences well. The direction demonstrates moments of brilliance, particularly in protest scenes and intense dramatic moments.

Cinematographer Vijay has done excellent work capturing the story’s various phases. The rawness in protest portions and shadow-heavy interrogation scenes enhance the visual drama effectively.

Music director Jakes Bejoy delivers a score that complements the narrative. His background music enhances emotional impact during key scenes without being overpowering.

Critical Reception and Ratings

The film has received generally positive reviews from critics and audiences. IMDb rates it 7.0/10, indicating solid audience reception. Times of India gave it 3.5/5, calling it a brave, bold attempt with an important message.

Critics appreciate the film’s intention to tackle controversial subjects while noting that the script felt muddled. The Hindu mentioned that despite shortcomings, the film works given its subject matter.

I found the film’s technical merits impressive, though certain narrative choices could have been better. The performances are inconsistent, with some actors delivering well while others feel artificial.

Box Office Performance

The film had a decent theatrical run with the opening week collection reaching 9.90 crores. It showed 20% growth in the initial days, earning 2.37 crores on the third day. The total collection reached approximately 17.65 crores, moving toward the 20-crore mark.

This performance is respectable for a socially conscious film that doesn’t rely heavily on commercial elements. The box office numbers show audiences are willing to support meaningful cinema.

What Works

The film’s greatest strength lies in its subject matter and courage to bring controversial incidents to screen. Technical aspects, particularly cinematography and music, enhance storytelling significantly. Some individual performances bring authenticity to the narrative.

The film succeeds in creating awareness about tribal rights and police brutality, which is its primary objective.

What Could Be Better

The screenplay structure could have been tighter with better integration of commercial elements. Unnecessary subplots and pacing issues detract from the main narrative’s impact. Some key performances don’t reach their potential, and dubbing quality in certain scenes is subpar.

I felt the film would have benefited from a more focused storytelling approach, perhaps sacrificing some commercial elements for greater narrative impact.

Final Verdict

Narivetta is a well-intentioned film that tackles important subjects with sincerity and technical competence. While it may not achieve the artistic excellence of similar Malayalam films, it succeeds in bringing attention to crucial social justice issues.

The film’s moderate box office success and positive critical reception show audiences appreciate meaningful cinema. Despite flaws in pacing and performance, it remains a worthwhile watch for those interested in socially relevant films.

For viewers seeking entertainment combined with social awareness, Narivetta offers a reasonable package. It represents the kind of brave filmmaking Malayalam cinema is known for, tackling difficult subjects even when commercial success isn’t guaranteed.