What Is the Story About?
Soul Stories, out on Manorama Max, is a five-episode anthology, written, directed and backed by Sanil Kalathil, turning the spotlight on five women from various walks of life – Rani, Vaishnavi, Raisa, Nalini and Arundhathi – addressing their pursuit for freedom, respect, self-discovery as they confront societal expectations, family dynamics and personal battles.
Analysis
Kiss of Kochi
A rather simple story revolving around consent, the episode focuses on two childhood friends Raghav and Vaishnavi. While Vaishnavi is a liberated, driven woman working in the corporate sector, she’s suddenly traumatised when a male friend kisses her out of the blue. Raghav gets a taste of his medicine when Vaishnavi returns home on a break.
Anarkali Marikar is a picture of poise, representing the everyday ambiguities of a woman, who’s confused about drawing a line in man-woman relationships. Shalu Rahim, Anju Kakkanattu and Maya Ravishankar deliver the goods in well-defined roles. Sanil’s treatment of a sensitive topic merits praise, more so with the smart ending and the conversations among the female characters about love, relationships and men.
Rani
Rani, a widowed woman who’s reduced to her grandson’s nanny at home, feels trapped within the confines of domesticity. While she has an undying passion for dance, her wings are crippled at various phases of her life due to familial responsibilities. Confused between passion and obligation, Rani needs to choose it’s too late.
Undoubtedly, the best episode in the series, the tale portrays the destruction of a dream in a woman’s life, how she’s guilt-tripped constantly by the men around her – father, husband and son later (while it’s the women who stand up for her). Suhasini, with all her experience and joie de vivre, is in prime form as Rani, ably supported by Karthikk, Sandhya Sasikumar and Nimna Fathoomi.
Simhathinte Madiyil
Reyza’s parents are concerned when their daughter is reluctant to go to school for several days. She’s neither ready to open up to her parents nor her younger brother. Upon advice from family and friends, Reyza is taken to a therapy session with Dr Siju. Over a walk, the latter addresses her concerns sans any judgment.
An interesting take on conservatism within a school environment and society’s desperation to sexualise any man-woman relationship, the story also reflects the changing nature of student-teacher relationships and why teachers shouldn’t be reluctant to learn from their wards. Renji Panicker’s stately presence and Nimna Fathoomi’s vibrant persona make for a good combo.
Neeril Veezhum Pookkal
Arundhati, a caretaker at a gated community, is in the middle of a passionless marriage, where a school-going son is the only shining light of her life. She shares a special friendship with Daisy, a flat owner in the apartment she works at. However, the future of their relationship stands exposed when Daisy’s mother makes a surprise visit.
In an episode that seems to be partially inspired by Aditi Rao Hydari and Konkana Sen’s segment in Ajeeb Dastaans, Sanil suggests how class and caste go onto define relationship of any kind. Though the director addresses issues like marital rape, stigma around same-sex relationships and social factors in relationships, the treatment could’ve benefited from more nuance. However, Dayyana Hameed, Gopika Manjusha essay their roles with earnestness.
Brarthamanam
Nalini, a mother to three children – Anu, Reuben and Reenu – is a concerned woman when a nosy neighbour Mini raises objections about her elder daughter’s supposedly-revealing outfits. Though Nalini’s husband doesn’t pay heed to the naysayers, the comment makes a profound impact on her parenting style and it initiates a much-needed conversation with her children about their choices.
Though the intent behind the story and the conversation it aims to generate are genuine, one can’t help but sense a half-heartedness in the treatment. Except for a fine ending, where Nalini uses a smart metaphor to give it back to Mini, the episode is not wholly satisfying. Nevertheless, Asha Madathil is fabulous as a modern-day mother, and so is Sminu Sijo. Wafa Khatheeja shines well in a monologue, while Santhosh Keezhatoor is strictly okay.
Soul Stories is a timely, relevant anthology, capturing various dimensions of womanhood, even though the ideas work better on paper than on screen.
Music and Other Departments?
Though the songs in the show serve as speed-breakers more than tools to progress the story, Ifthi’s eclectic background score across five episodes merits praise. Sajan Kalathil, through his impactful cinematography, shows how women are trapped by various social factors, regardless of their profession. The 30-minute length per episode is ideal, given the compact themes chosen by the director.
Highlights?
Ability to tap into the deeper concerns of women
Variety across the stories
Impressive performances, visualisation and music
Drawbacks?
Lack of nuance in select episodes
Not all themes strike a chord
Absence of strong emotional impact
Did I Enjoy It?
In parts
Will You Recommend It?
Only for its social relevance and not the execution
Soul Stories Series Review by Binged Bureau