Samshayam movie review: Vinay Forrt, Sharafudheen’s simple but powerful tale is told with a lot of grace

Samshayam story: Eighteen months into her motherhood, homemaker Vimala doubts whether their child is actually theirs. This sets her husband Manojan on a quest to find out the truth - one that impacts not just their lives but also that of an urban couple, Harris and Faiza, who are just finding their feet, as a family.

Samshayam review: Debutant filmmaker Rajesh Ravi’s film begins by stating that it’s inspired by true events. But almost 15 minutes into the movie, you would feel maybe that it’s just one of those throwaway lines to rein in the viewers because the incidents that unfold on the screen between a newly-married couple, who live with the husband’s father who in turn wants to be a grandfather, is something that can happen to anyone.

Even the film’s turning point, where the eponymous ‘seeds of doubt’ is sown, is also something that would have passed through certain parents’ minds at least once in their lives. But what makes Samshayam, a gem is how its writer and director Rajesh weaves these minor events so gracefully, and builds it up to a point where the characters and their emotions speak volumes, without any of the drama.

In the past year, Malayalam cinema has addressed issues facing newly-married couples, with movies such as Vishesham and Get-Set Baby. But it wouldn’t be fair to group Samshayam into this category, as the film evolves from a family drama revolving around a couple in a small town, to an ego clash between two men and finally, letting the women take over in the most poignant way.

Rajesh’s writing and craft shines here, because it’s a subject that could have been overly dramatic, but he finds the right balance with the story, made all the more engaging by the characters - who are all at their wits’ end.

Be it Manojan (Vinay Forrt), who is looked down by his father and works as a waiter at the Indian Coffee House, Vimala (Lijomol), a homemaker who has just recovered from post-partum depression, Harris (Sharafudheen), who is financially struggling to get his business off the ground or Faiza (Priyamvada), who has to work late-night shifts and take care of her son, each of these characters are well etched out that you feel for them and their plight. When Harris is hounded by calls from Manojan, you would wonder why he can’t just block him once and for all, but Rajesh’s writing paints Harris as a character who is soft spoken and keeps his calm. This is why it adds to the story when he flings this as his virtue and his wife Faiza counters that. It also shows how the fathers have it easy, especially in the early portions of parenthood. The ending just hammers this point home.

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There’s also a stark contrast between the two couples, and yet they are strongly supportive of each other. And this again is not shown through any big events, it’s through simple everyday gestures. The fight sequence between the men is probably the only dramatic portion in the film, but that again gets the realistic treatment. And this movie required it, considering the main event that the film addressed and how it had to be presented.

It’s not just the writing, which addresses the challenges of new mothers as well as people’s rights to choose, that’s on point but also the performances. This could rank as Vinay’s finest after Thamaasha. Together with Lijomol, the duo have some heartening scenes, which exemplifies the bond between the characters and why he chooses to go on this quest because of a doubt that might seem absurd to others. Similarly, Sharafudheen is perfect as Harris, exuding a sense of helplessness but with dignity, while Priyamvada plays Faiza with poise. PP Kunhikrishnan, who delighted in Nna Thaan Case Kodu and Oru Jaathi Jathakam, once again shows veteran actors can avoid being stereotyped.

Hesham Abdul Wahab’s music is another strong point of the film, especially in its emotional portion at the end. Manesh Madhavan keeps it simple with his frames and Lijo Paul’s editing is precise.

Samshayam verdict: Director Rajesh Ravi, who had earlier penned Biju Menon’s Aarkkariyam, weaves a beautiful tale about the nurturing bond of parents, backed by superb performances by its lead cast and music.