Nagendran's Honeymoons Review: Suraj Venjaramoodu’s ‘Fortune Hunter’ Story Has Many Positives

Suraj Venjaramoodu and Alexander Prasanth coming together in Nithin Renji Panicker’s Disney HotStar’s Nagendran’s Honeymoons is made in a time when there was no mobiles or speedy policing – that has helped the story that can be made in two hours to extend it to hours long series, though without impacting the cognitive senses of the audience very much. What is commendable about the series are the writing, cinematography, production design and the music. Though the total execution is disappointing, writer (also the director of the series) Nithin Reni Panicker has managed to pull off a good script with the dialogues and life from the Kerala of 1980s.

The cinematography by Nikhil S Praveen has also made the series a little bit effective as the camera travels through various geographies of the southern state. Coupled with heart-warming background score, the Nagendran’s Honeymoons has provided some room for entertainment.

(Spoiler alert) Nagendran’s Honeymoons’ story is about a “fortune hunter” lazy Southern Kerala man from 1980s who ends up marrying five women from various parts of Kerala and Tamil Nadu and the struggles his adventure entails. Jobless Nagendran (Suraj Venjaramoodu) is being helped or encouraged by his friend and matchmaker Soman (Alexander Prashanth). Everything starts when a friend of theirs returns from Kuwait and he offers Nagendran a visa to find a living abroad. To fund the expenses for his journey to the West Asian country, the protagonist finds a way, in fact, Soman finds it for him: get married to Nagendran’s cousin Janaki (Alphy Panjikaran) and make use of the expected dowry. When Nagendran realises after the wedding that he wouldn’t get any money as dowry, after Soman’s persuasion he leaves the village and ends up marrying five more women, Lillikkutty (Grace Antony), Laila (Shwetha Menon), Thankam (Kani Kusruti), Savithrikutty (Niranjana Anoop) and Mozhi (Ammu Abhirami).

As the series approaches its end credits, a policeman, brother of one of the women Nagendran married, tracks him down and this season of Nagendran’s Honeymoons finishes with some twists.

The story and its setup in an age, which can give ample opportunities for the director and writer, have not been treated well – that makes the series a let-down.

Not only Suraj and Prasanth, all the other cast members have done a fantastic job in Nagendran’s Honeymoons. They have done their best, especially the female characters starting from Alphy to Ammu Abhirami. Each one of them have their own stories and struggles to tell you and those detailing have opened enough space for the characters to perform.

Suraj is in his usual self and the acting is bit more engaging and intense. Sometimes you will see the Chrandran Pillai (another con character) from Mayavi, a Malayalam hit movie. The national award winning actor’s ease to casually take forward dramatic and comedic scenes is exemplary.

Prashant also proves that if given chance, he would magic with his acting prowesses.

Kani’s Thankam, a village prostitute, deserves special mention. This may be one of the best performances of the Cannes-returning actress.

Nagendran’s Honeymoons crew

Direction, Writing: Nithin Renji Panicker

Music: Ranjin Raj

Cinematography    Nikhil S Praveen

Cast:

Suraj Venjaramoodu, Alexander Prasanth, Grace Antony, Shwetha Menon, Kani Kusruti, Alphy Panjikaran, Niranjana Anoop, Kalabhavan Shajon, Ramesh Pisharody, Ammu Abhirami