When I first heard that they were making a sequel to the much celebrated Drishyam, I was skeptical. I wasn’t sure the film warranted another visit to this world. But what’s most impressive about Drishyam 2 is that Jeethu Joseph takes us back and expands this universe in fascinating ways. That we get to see the repercussions of what happened on that fateful night years go, makes more sense as you keep watching.
This is perhaps the film’s greatest success in that it makes us care about these people once again. And it keeps adding more and more intrigue to what Georgekutty does and what is being done to him. Without revealing too much, there is a point in the film where you feel that the director/writer has written himself into a corner. But the way he gets out of that and connects the rest of the dots is astonishing. It is very difficult to write about this film without revealing too much about it, but I will try. There is so much to admire about the writing here. From the way it brings in new characters, fleshes out this world and finds new ways to play with the central mystery is brilliant.
Mohanlal the actor shines in a few scenes where he lets his face do all the talking. These few scenes give you an idea about the psyche of this man and what he is going through. This is nicely contrasted with the way the way his family’s feelings are more outwardly shown. Here is where you want to sit up and appreciate Jeethu Joseph for infusing something new into these people. Somewhere along the way, you also wonder what you would have done in a situation like this. The director/writer does the right thing by not just sticking to Georgekutty’s family. There are other characters who come into the story and they each have a purpose.
The only issue I had with the film was that it felt a bit slow in the first hour or so. But once everything has been set up, and things start picking up, you are all set for one hell of a ride. Another aspect of the writing that shines through is the attention to detail. This is not just limited to what the police do but even the minor characters are sketched out beautifully. Nothing seems unnecessary or out of place. Even if it does feel like that in the beginning, it all makes sense in the end.
The film would certainly have been a roaring success if it had come out in theaters. But releasing it on an OTT platform gives more people a chance to watch it, analyze it and enjoy all the little highs that it provides. Getting the same core cast from the first part and infusing some new people into the mix adds freshness. So, instead of the story becoming repetitive, we look at it from a completely different angle. If there is one thing I would like you to take away from this film, it would be that exposition when done right can be riveting.
Ultimately what makes Drishyam 2 succeed is that the stakes feel real. This particular element makes the events more affecting. I would love to talk about this film in more detail after a couple of weeks after more people have gotten a chance to see it. That way, I wouldn’t have to tiptoe around the important plot points. There is a lot to discuss but what makes this sequel a true success, is the brilliance in the writing. Sometimes you just have to sit back and appreciate what has happened. And just as with the first part, you will feel satisfied at the end of this one.
Until next time, bye.
Films & Frames 