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Manuel (Basil Joseph) does not like Instagram. He still prefers the old-fashioned Facebook. “Never apologize for being a strong woman,” he tells the woman when he learns that a potential suitor is a single mother. We see this line again in director MC’s nail-biting suspense thriller Sookshmadarshini. This time, it’s in somebody’s Instagram bio.
Sookshmadarshini, which translates to microscope, signals to the film’s curious female lead, Priyadarshini alias Priya (Nazriya). She is busy running a house with a devoted husband, Antony (Deepak Parambol), and a school-going daughter. MC establishes Priya’s attention to detail in the opening sequence as Antony spills milk over the induction cooker. Armed with a sharp gaze and a near sixth sense to prick anything shady, Priya’s latest pursuit is to land a decent job with a counterfeit experience letter.
Priya is well-versed with snooping into smaller spaces. The woman’s degree in microbiology somewhere trained her to do that, we assume. At one point, we see her retrieve an earring screw from the insides of her kitchen sink. MC also knows he is working with Malayalam cinema’s beloved Nazriya. As if on cue, we get a customary squeal of joy when she clears a job interview. Om Shanthi Oshana’s Pooja is now a mother, and she yells ‘yay’ at her daughter’s swimming class. Sure, time has passed.
This way, Nazriya’s evolution to become a housewife and a mother feels seamless in Sookshmadarshini. It is a very ‘Nazriya thing’ for Priya to do when she bypasses her anxious husband to engage in what is a compelling private investigation. Sookshmadarshini elicits ‘Kabhi Biwi, Kabhi Jasoos’ vibes when the nosy wifey cooks dinner for her family while prying into her neighbor’s house at the same time. It is up to Priya to solve the fishy events that seem to unfold in Manuel’s house.
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To prolong the intrigue, Manuel is kept perennially in the dark. Worse is the case with his silent mother (Manohari Joy). She goes missing time and again from their house. MC’s narrative in the early acts devices schemes to circumvent the involvement of neighbors as Manuel and his UK-returned-doctor cousin Dr. John (Siddharth Bharathan) seemingly plan to harm the mother. In Manuel’s ice-breaking efforts, the unassuming neighbors get fed with monitor lizard meat, followed by an eventful night of Priya and Antony’s marriage anniversary.
Sookshmadarshini is highly engaging, and the suspense element is safe with the writers until the pre-climax. Yet, the film is somewhat devious in its devices. Towards the finale, the film introduces a new character (Saraswathi Menon). It is a decision that nearly topples the excitement. The Break Bad-inspired plotting sounds great until the plan is within the family. The moment an outsider enters the picture, the cracks begin to show.
A notable hitch aside, MC’s film is a treat for those who love an edge-of-the-seat thriller. Sookshmadarshini is fiercely feminist – from husbands who do housework to a conniving woman with a plan. The additional estrogen and subtle humor are supplied by Priya’s Girl Fridays (Akhila Raghavan and Pooja Mohanraj are hilarious). Basil Joseph, too, does very well in unleashing his sinister self. It was never surprising to see him essay a character of this nature. With one more film in the same zone, he will be labeled typecast. Siddharth Bharathan springs a pleasant surprise for all the freshness he adds to Dr. John. Merin Philip as Stephy is a good discovery and a warm screen presence. Somehow, her participation in a key sequence sees the writers at their over-confident best. Deepak Parambol plays the ideal hubby prototype and is a gorgeous sight on the screen. The next time, I would want him to call some shots. Why should the wife have all the fun? Also, what happened to Antony’s trip to Cooch Behar?
Nazriya grabs a nearly fool-proof part for what can be called a comeback. Priya’s ability to count the pressure cooker whistles at Manuel’s home or her foresightedness to dial Diana (Aparna Ram) – everything adds to carving an arc for her. Sookshmadarshini is never as clever as its leading lady. Yet, with the right advocacy, neat suspense, and terrific female characters in store, MC’s film is a hoot-and-a-half for those who appreciate fun, feminist storytelling.
Rating: ★★★ 1/2
