A larger-than-life action thriller with a powerful message
‘Saripodha Sanivaram’ is an entertaining film further elevated by intense background score
★★★★✩
Saripodha Sanivaram
Directed by Vivek Athreya
Screenplay by Vivek Athreya
Starring Nani, S. J. Suryah, Priyanka Mohan, Abhirami
Rated U/A, Now Playing
Saripodha Sanivaram is a vigilante action thriller that revolves around the lives of the protagonist Surya (Nani), the antagonist Daya (S. J. Suryah), and the people from the fictional village of Sokulapalem. It opens with Surya, who has fallen to the ground after being attacked. We are then taken on the journey that has led to his current state. As a child, Surya had trouble controlling his anger and exploded at everything that annoyed him. His mother (Abhirami) makes him understand that his temper is powerful, but if expressed frequently, it would lose its value. To help control his fury, she lets him pick one day in a week to lash out, the catch being that he must remain calm during the remaining days of the week. Following a series of events, Surya chooses Saturday to unleash his wrath, and he only fights people he has justified anger against. This brings us to the title of the film, Saripodha Sanivaram, which translates to “Is Saturday not enough?”
In a parallel manner, we are introduced to the antagonist, Daya (S. J. Suryah), who also has trouble controlling his anger. He is a police officer entangled in a property dispute with his politician brother. While Daya’s anger is justified, he cannot take it out on his brother, who is in a more powerful position. Instead, Daya uses the innocent people of Sokulpalem as a punching bag. The conflict in the story arises when Surya learns about Daya’s atrocities from Charu (Priyanka Mohan), a police officer working under Daya. The rest of the story is about how Surya, with the help of Charu, takes down Daya to help the people of Sokulapalem.
The characterizations of Surya and Daya are in sharp contrast despite their sharing similar anger issues. While Surya channels his rage thoughtfully and constructively, Daya intentionally directs it towards innocents. Contrary to the trope in most action thrillers where the antagonist is needlessly evil, Daya plays a crucial role in shaping the development of Surya in Saripodha Sanivaram.
Throughout the film, we see Surya’s unchecked fury become a force for positive change in his community. This is a refreshing arc to watch, as opposed to a protagonist with a savior complex who single-handedly beats up the antagonist and solves everyone’s problems. Saripodha Sanivaram sends home a powerful message: no one will fight your battles for you: you have to fight them yourself!
Despite a straightforward and sometimes predictable storyline, it is the screenplay and writing that make the movie stand out. The writer-director, Vivek Athreya, employs a non-linear screenplay for Saripodha Sanivaram, something he has experimented with in his previous movies, Brochevarevarura and Ante Sundaraniki. This narrative adds suspense, keeping the audience hooked with anticipation. For example, at the intermission block, Athreya uses a slightly extended version of the opening scene which reveals the ultimate face-off between Surya and Daya, but this time, we realize that this scene marks the pre-climax of the film. The beauty of his screenplay is such that although he uses the same scene in the beginning, intermission, and pre-climax of the film, we have new information about the story every time we see it. This keeps us guessing about what led to a particular scene and how it will finally unravel at the end.
Athreya is not only excellent at developing a gripping screenplay, but he is also a mastermind who effortlessly weaves comedy into tense situations. Sequences where Daya vents his frustration while plotting against his brother or beating up innocent people are often written such that a comedic effect is generated naturally even in these terrifying episodes. Athreya also skillfully stages scenes with seemingly unimportant characters to deliver astonishing payoffs when we least expect it!
Even in an action thriller, Athreya tells a beautiful story laced with thought-provoking undertones. For example, when Surya’s mother teaches her daughter how to cook, she tells her that cooking is just like any other subject she has to learn, and learning how to cook does not mean that she must restrict herself to the kitchen. In a society where gender roles are still prevalent, this kind of storytelling in commercial entertainment creates a positive impact.
If Athreya’s writing is the foundation of the film, it is the actors who bring his vision to life. Two performers stand out in particular: Nani and S. J. Suryah. Nani, who plays Surya, takes us on a journey of realizing the meaning of true anger and when it is justified. We empathize with and root for him through his character development. In addition, it would be an understatement to say that Suryah breathes life into Daya. Suryah has a commanding screen presence with unique mannerisms and dialog delivery. No other actor could have pulled this role off with such perfection, especially in sequences where Suryah seamlessly transitions between Daya’s conflicting emotions. If my love for Athreya’s previous films made me watch Saripodha Sanivaram in cinemas, it was Suryah’s dynamic and expressive acting that took me to the cinemas for a second time.
While Surya and Daya are the two most important characters, the soundtrack by James Bejoy is undoubtedly another essential part of the film. Though the music occasionally overpowers some of the dialogue, Bejoy’s work perfectly complements the tone of the film and keeps the viewer emotionally invested. In particular, the ominous background score that marks Daya's presence on screen makes his presence even more terrifying.
Overall, Saripodha Sanivaram is an out-and-out action film that tells the tale of two furious men who lock horns in a battle of rages. It is sure to get your heart racing and adrenaline pumping.