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Nishabdham is a multi-starrer thriller that brings together a talented cast, including Anushka Shetty, R. Madhavan, Shalini Pandey, Anjali, and Hollywood’s Michael Madsen. Directed by Hemant Madhukar, the film attempts to be a gripping whodunit with an engaging premise. However, while it promises suspense and drama, it delivers only in parts, leaving the audience wanting more.
Plot Overview
The story follows Sakshi (Anushka Shetty), a mute and deaf artist, and her fiancé Anthony (R. Madhavan), a renowned cello player. While on vacation, Sakshi insists on visiting a haunted house to pick up a painting, unknowingly setting off a chain of events that land her in the middle of a police investigation. With Seattle PD detectives Richard (Michael Madsen) and Maha (Anjali) on the case, the narrative unfolds through twists, turns, and layers of flashbacks. Despite its intriguing setup, the film struggles to maintain a coherent pace and fails to fully capitalize on its premise.
Strengths of Nishabdham
The film boasts strong performances, particularly from R. Madhavan, who shines as Anthony. His character is pivotal, tying the narrative together with unexpected revelations. Madhavan’s nuanced portrayal stands out, even though the screenplay doesn’t fully explore his potential.
Michael Madsen brings credibility to his role as a seasoned detective, though his character suffers from underwhelming dubbing and limited depth. Anushka Shetty, despite her strong screen presence, is underutilized as Sakshi. The character’s unique perspective as a mute witness is briefly explored but abandoned too soon, missing an opportunity to add depth to the narrative.
The cinematography by Shaneil Deo captures the eerie ambiance of the film’s setting beautifully. Girishh G’s background score adds tension, creating the atmospheric suspense that a thriller demands.
Where It Falls Short
The primary drawback of Nishabdham lies in its screenplay and dialogues, penned by Kona Venkat. The plot attempts to juggle too many elements—possessive friendships, scheming cops, and convoluted flashbacks—resulting in a lack of focus. The over-explained voice-over by Anjali’s character, Maha, detracts from the suspense, making the narrative feel heavy-handed.
While the film hints at emotional depth and complex relationships, these aspects are only partially explored. Anushka’s Sakshi never truly emerges as the vulnerable yet resilient character she’s meant to be, and the silent film approach initially teased is disappointingly abandoned.
Final Verdict
Nishabdham is a film with immense potential, boasting a star-studded cast and an intriguing premise. However, it ultimately falls short due to its overindulgent screenplay and lack of narrative cohesion. Despite its flaws, the film offers moments of brilliance, especially through Madhavan’s performance and the atmospheric visuals.
For fans of Anushka Shetty and R. Madhavan, Nishabdham might still be worth a watch. While it doesn’t fully deliver as a thrilling whodunit, it offers enough style and intrigue to keep audiences engaged. If you’re in the mood for a stylish yet flawed thriller, this one could make for an interesting weekend watch.