Content is always and should be the spearhead of storytelling. Malayalam cinema and web series have been keenly observed by the world audience due to this factor. Does the latest effort in the OTT platform balustrade for such a statement? How anticipating would the series be for watching?
‘Soul Stories’ is a family drama written and directed by debutant Sanil Kalathil, along with C J Devison who bankrolled the effort with the director. The concept is compelling female-oriented stories in the different facets of women who are facing different constraints.
As the premise goes, the series explores the intertwined lives of women from diverse backgrounds, each facing unique challenges in their pursuit of freedom, self-respect, and self-esteem.
Set against a backdrop of societal expectations, family dynamics, and personal battles, the narrative delves into their struggles and triumphs as they navigate careers, relationships, and self-discovery.
Furthermore, the effort consists of five different short stories that are an anthology based on women’s empowerment. But does it make any difference in such filmography as several acclaimed ideas of the same theme are present?
The concept design for the web series is created in such a way that apart from stating womanhood, it also includes pertinent, sensitive, and serious political contexts and describes the myths as well as the misconceptions in society.
Short stories like ‘Rani’ and ‘Brarthamanam’ are decent watchable, while ‘Kiss of Love’ and ‘Simhathinte Madiyil’ could have been exemplary if it would have worked well on the narrative despite a noteworthy story idea.
Also, the segment ‘Neeril Veezhum Pookal’ describes homosexuality and how societal pressure affects such a community which is tiresome due to the story repetition. However, performances are greatly done.
However, the web series doesn’t seem to be profound in any aspect and the work looks marginal on the screen. Surprisingly, actor Suhasini Maniratnam has given her voice for her performance in the segment ‘Rani’, which is her first attempt and has not done worse.
The technical labour includes the co-writing by Libin Varghese, cinematography by Sajan Kalathil, and editing overseen by Anzar Chennat who are all debutants. Ifthi composed the music as well as the background scores.
The movie features an ensemble cast of actors Anarkali Marikar, Renji Panicker, RJ Karthik, Wafa Khatheeja, Dayanna Hameed, Asha Madathil, and Gopika Manjusha playing important roles.
The web series is streaming on the Manorama MAX platform and stay tuned in Binged for more updates.