What Is the Story About?
Brinda, an adopted daughter of a former cop Raghu, is a newly appointed SI and the only female officer at her station. She makes crucial progress in a case about a serial killer on the loose. Though Brinda’s efforts are downplayed by her male colleagues Sarathi and Solomon, she eventually finds her feet at work and has to confront her past to trace the whereabouts of a mass murderer.
Performances?
Brinda is a perfect companion piece to Trisha’s gritty crime drama The Road – where she effortlessly plays a vulnerable woman who takes on a criminal with a traumatic past. Trisha exudes confidence in her first-ever cop avatar in Brinda, essaying her part with elegance and a hint of restraint while enjoying the occasional flexing of her muscles. She shares a warm camaraderie with her on-screen parents – the ever-dependable Aamani and Jaya Prakash.
Ravindra Vijay in yet another solid performance after Aarambham and ZEE5’s Bahishkarana, is quite convincing while stepping into the shoes of a flawed cop with a good heart. Indrajith Sukumaran has just the right deceptive screen presence to pull off a complex role and make a mark in his Telugu OTT debut. Anand Sami, as Thakur, is another promising find in the show. Sandeep Sahu and Rakendu Mouli are effective in their brief roles.
Analysis
Brinda has a basic premise for starters – a female cop, who faces discrimination at work, needs to fight her inner demons and rediscover her purpose through a case. The writer and director Surya Manoj Vangala throws many obstacles in her path – a traumatic childhood, her father’s sudden demise, a cranky teen sister and a chauvinistic workplace.
The protagonist uses work as an excuse to mask her unhealed wounds. Brinda, is too harsh on herself, bottling up her emotions and not letting her vulnerabilities show up. A case, whose culprit has a strange link to her past, is her only way to find her mojo back in life. Alternating between her professional and personal battles, Brinda is a straightforward, slow-burn cop drama executed with finesse.
There’s nothing really pathbreaking about Brinda, but it’s put together with good workmanship through a focused narrative and a committed team that stays true to the spirit of the story to a large extent. The core conflict in the story – confronting crimes committed in the name of religion – is timely and reflective of the largely polarised society we’ve transformed into, in recent years.
The show – an open drama in terms of its structure – consistently borders on the predictable and doesn’t intend to stay a step ahead of the viewer. The pacing is leisurely, the world-building is gradual and there are no unnecessary subplots or backstories crammed into the narrative in the disguise of detailing. The writing is precise, with adequate context to invest in the character and progress the plot.
The director’s exploration of the system is generic – Brinda’s boss is indifferent and corrupt and it’s only natural for her to despise him. You don’t know how and why a newly appointed SI is such a force to reckon with, beyond the fact that she’s here to follow in the footsteps of her father. She’s a workaholic, spending sleepless nights, relentlessly chasing the culprit of a case who’s so close and yet so far.
The subplot of Brinda’s wayward teen sister isn’t among the show’s high points either. The tropes are dated – she ultimately falls in bad company, deals with drugs, there are tantrums back home and the protective sister always guards her in the need of the hour. Several portions of the show are offshoots of many popular cop dramas and some innovative packaging could’ve lent it a new appeal.
Brinda’s emotional beats are relatively strong in comparison and hold the viewer’s attention. Chinni and Satya’s haunting backstory, Thakur’s traumatic past lay a strong foundation to establish the culprit’s motive and his rationalistic approach. As a counterbalancing act, another impressive, idealistic subplot around Brinda’s father is in place to offer a different dimension of the society.
The series is more a whydunit than a whodunit – it spends enough time to decode the mind space of its culprits and the path they’ve chosen. The technical finesse and controlled performances make up for the missteps in the writing. There’s no unwarranted heroism or cacophony – it’s understated, mature and sensible, even if not rooted in reality.
Brinda may not push the envelope in terms of storytelling and yet, it leaves you with a sense of satisfaction, thanks to the director’s grasp over drama, his matter-of-factly treatment and how he fully utilises the strengths of a good star cast.
Music and Other Departments?
In a show where there isn’t a pronounced display of emotions and the director adopts an understated approach to the storytelling, composer Shakti Kanth Karthick has his task cut out. However, he rises to the occasion with a lovely score that seamlessly integrates with the ambience, revs up the mood when necessary and also contributes to a scene’s emotive value.
Cinematographer Dinesh K Babu, sustaining the show’s grim mood, makes the most of the opportunity to mount the story across varied backdrops – hills, lakes, sleepy villages and the cacophony of cities. The realistic costume styling keeps the realism in the storytelling intact. Anwar Ali, the editor, stitches together a coherent narrative, shifting between timelines sans any ambiguity.
Highlights?
Performances by Trisha, Indrajith Sukumaran and Ravindra Vijay
Technical finesse in the execution
Focused, precise storytelling
The director’s grasp over emotions, drama
Drawbacks?
Not the most original of stories
Doesn’t make an effort to subvert norms, approach the genre differently
Did I Enjoy It?
Yes
Will You Recommend It?
Yes, if you’re someone who savours slow-burn dramas
Brinda Series Review by Binged Bureau
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