What Is the Story About?
Maha (Anjali) is assigned to the killing of Anthony. It brings back the haunted house enigma in that particular location after more than four decades. While Anjali is trying to solve the case, Captain Richard is trying to close it as soon as possible.
Sakshi (Anushka) is the mute girlfriend of Anthony. She wants the case to get to a decisive end. How the mystery of the Woodside Villa unfolds, leaving everyone confused and shocked is what the movie is all about?
Performances?
Anushka plays a unique character in Nishabdham. It is the first time in her carer playing a mute woman. She nails the sign language and all, but her body language and facial expressions remain the same as usual.
Also, there is not much happening with Anushka showing her acting potential. She is retrained and subtle throughout. It could also be a reason for the lack of impact everywhere. There are, however, a few glimpses, that show us the ‘heroic’ screen presence range of the actress, in between.
Analysis
Hemanth Madhukar has come up with a simple story. However, he has managed to present it in a unique manner, for a brief part, that raises hopes of something different yet engaging on cards.
The best part of Nishabdham is the beginning. It makes one think that there is something unique or different on the offering. However, soon the impact wears off when the proceedings move towards the investigation.
As an audience, we can sense that there something off about the narrative. Be it the setting or the casting of Michael Madsen (his dubbing to be more precise); it seems that Nishabdham is derailing very soon. The same feel continues until the end.
The only thing holding the interest of the audience is the central mystery. The director does a neat job in evading it for a considerable time. So much happens, but, in the end, it leaves one with a feeling of misguiding.
One is still willing to give the whole thing a pass until the pre-climax happen, and the core story is revealed. It is so predictable and done to death that one loses interest in the whole thing then and there. It is more so after the exciting initial portions. There is zero creativity, which is fine, but even the execution leaves a lot to be desired.
Overall, Nishabdham is a below par and dull thriller with hardly any thrills. The making and setting take away the little impact it could have had. What we are left with is a forgettable outing, in the end.
Other Artists?
As said above, Michael Madsen is terrible, and a lot of it has to do with the dubbing. The natural fun that he is capable of is missing. Madhavan is wasted. It makes one wonder why did he take up the part in the first place. His first direct Telugu outing offered much more to him, even though that itself was a disappointment.
Anjali would be the real lead of the story if one were to look from her character’s point of view. However, she does more with her voice over than acting. Shalini Pandey is useful in the little part that she is given. Subbaraju surprises, in the end. The rest of the actors (Srinivas Avasarala and others) make no impact or have anything memorable.
Music and Other Departments?
Gopi Sunder provides the background score to the thriller, which is alright. It helps in building the right momentum. The cinematography Shaneil Deo is okay. There are parts which give a grand appeal visually, but overall, it is not up to the mark. The editing by Prawin Pudi is decent, even though a tad out of place at times. The writing is superficial and inadequate.
Highlights?
Set-Up
Parts Of Central Mystery
Background Score
Drawbacks?
Writing
Story
Second Half
Climax
Did I Enjoy It?
No
Will You Recommend It?
No
Nishabdham Review by Binged Bureau
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