Thira

This film is underrated!

Shobana and Dhyaan are so apt for the roles. Such a different story for a malayalam cinema.

It was fast paced unlike normal malayalam films. Seemed to be a tamil film. Screenplay was engaging to the end. Duration of the film is a plus.

Never expected a film like this from Vineeth. He usually presents good hearted films. This film is brilliantly handled. How come such a tragic topic like human trafficking made family friendly? Only Vineeth Sreenivasan can do it.

Watched with zero expectations but loved it so so much. Dont know why 2nd part was not filmed. Anyways a decent thrilling watch!

It's 2022 and I watched a film that was released in 2013. I wondered how did I miss it, not that I am a film buff but it might have skipped my mind. During some of the recent interviews (after the success of 'Hridayam'), I heard Vineeth sharing some experiences about Thira and since I hadn't heard about it, I thought of watching it. Surprisingly, it turned out to be a wonderful film for me. It may have been inspired from someone's life/book at that time but I felt it was a no-nonsense film. Due to its storytelling, yes it was fast paced and that's how films should be made. Based on the storyline, if it's action based then the film has to be action based, if it's drama, then the film has to be made in a dramatical way similarly with love stories, comedy etc. For example, if it's a horror movies, would someone simply sit and laugh throughout the movie or get scared when it's intended to be scary.

Thira is a one of its kind of movie where a female actress, the ever beautiful Shobhana is in the lead, boldly facing challenges that life throws at her throughout the film Alongside, is a young male actor, the then debutant Dhyan, who is guided and helped by Shobhana wherein their sole purpose is to rescue the girls who are victims of human trafficking.

In the past, before the release of Thira, there were films made in Malayalam in similar lines but those films all praised and worshipped the lead actor's style and machoism. The actresses were only a mere timepass, used for asthetic purposes like singing, dancing and spread on-screen colours for the viewers.

From start to end, I was totally engrossed watching Thira, just like the waves, different angles kept coming. May be sometimes, it could be predictable but the string of the movie is not broken so as to lose interest in watching. I liked how Vineeth made a movie focussing on a woman lead, how some women in the society takes charges to protect the fabric of the society from anti-elements and if required they will go to the end of the world to get what it takes to safe guard their loved ones from the evil.

Throughout the film, both Shobhana and Dhyan played their roles beautifully, not giving a chance for error. With Shobhana guiding Dhyan to face the challenges lying ahead in rescuing his sister, symbolically it seemed that she was preparing and guiding him on-screen to do well in his film career, we can see the results now in 2022.

I have given 7 stars for the overall film and an additional star for giving an opportunity to a lady star to lead the film.

In a day and age where domestic violence and violence against women are at large and far-flung, topics like rape, assault and sex trafficking are still considered to be a taboo on screen. Agreed, its a sensitive topic to be visually presented but its high time that the mold be broken, especially in Malayalam cinema. Pardon, my knowledge regarding Malayalam movies tackling similar topics, but I found it amusing that Thira handled the genre pretty well.

Directed by Vineeth Sreenivasan, Thira tells the story of Dr. Rohini Pranab who's on a race against the clock when some of the girls she'd taken under her wing, gets abducted. Herself caught neck-deep in a conspiracy and accompanied by Naveen whose sister got abducted among the girls, the plot moves at a brisk pace from start to end.

A ravishing Shobana makes a come back in the shoes of Dr. Rohini Pranab. Shobana effortlessly plays the character which screams for an applause. From a sincere doctor, to a caring social activist and at times adorning shades of power and intimidation, Shobana does shine in her role. There was this particular scene where Rohini, amidst all the troubles she's in, returns to the hospital for a surgery. While the distinct line ain't anything new, it tremendously reminded me of a scene from Sangeeth Sivan's Nirnayam. Vineeth's sibling, Dhyan Sreenivasan, despite the initial and occasional nuances of a newcomer, stands out with a commendable débutante performance. While Deepak Parambol who played the very amiable youth communist, Manoj in Thattathin Marayath was menacing and nefarious as ever as in this one.

The visuals were all exquisitely shot and is worthy to be labeled 'grim and elegant'. While the movie had tense moments, it lost some in its second act and the chases were a little less adrenaline pumping but it served the purpose of thrilling you. Complemented by an excellent soundtrack Thira is bound to keep you on the edge of the your seat till end.

My only qualm was regarding the linguistic choice that happened throughout the movie. I take it that it was to make it accessible for a wider audience that Hindi was prominently used, but its ever too hard to digest when localites as well as other characters spoke such fluent Hindi.

Just like Vineeth's previous Thattathin Marayath, Thira doesn't break any new grounds but a Malayalam movie almost on the same page as a Hollywood thriller is something that deserves more than a clap, a standing ovation maybe? Being the first in a planned trilogy and ending in a cliffhanger, it remains to see if the sequels would pack the same punch, nonetheless Thira was an entertaining ride from start to end. I watched this just after Philips & The Monkey Pen and I am rather glad at how Malayalam movies are getting out of their banal, cozy family soap/romance couches.

What else can you expect from a great thriller like this which grips you within its every frame. Director Vineeth Srinivasan comes with a socio thriller after directing a spate of hit films (Malarvadi Arts Club/2010 and Thattathin Marayathu/ 2012), which despite few having draggy moments and extra emotional quotient, scores and successfully grips you. The film's taut screenplay by Rakesh Mantodi brilliantly builds up the suspense and makes you grip along with the beautiful cinematography by Jomon. T. John and editing by Ranjan Abraham which pumps up the suspense well and adds beautiful visual touch within every frame and the music score by Shaan Rahman compliments the film's pace beautifully. Coming to the performances, Shobhana: Take A Bow, for her classy act repeating her excellence in films like "Thalapathi" and "Mitr: My Friend", debutant Dhyan Srinivasan is another great discovery of Malayalam Cinema where he successfully delivers a great performance and Deepak Parambol and the rest are good. Srinivasan's narration, despite a bit slow pace in between, makes a brilliant cinematic roller coaster ride worth of your ticket. My rating would be: 4/ 5

Thira - Firstly I would give a HATSOFF to the producer and the director for taking such a risk to present this concept to the audience. Well come-on, Who would wants to take a risk in presenting a full-on serious thriller movie in the generation where most of the audience expect Comedy, Mass, Item Songs, Dance, Fighting etc., from a film.

Thira is a well executed thriller movie concentrating on Human Trafficking. People must know what human trafficking is and how serious is this and the entire crew presented it well in the movie. Shobana and Dhyaan acted well and Shaan's music was at its best as always. Expecting more from Vineeth in terms of Creativity in Direction and Cinematography. Hope you make the next one even more thrilling. All the best.