CineBeacon

Release Date: November 19 2024  Platform: Netflix India Duration: 1 hr 22 min Director: Amith Krishnan Genre: Documentary / Biographical Nayanthara: Beyond the Fairytale , now streaming on Netflix India, is positioned as a celebration of the iconic actor’s life and career. However, while it offers glimpses into her personal journey and the challenges she overcame, it ultimately leaves viewers with an incomplete picture. Directed by Amith Krishnan, the documentary is more of a curated love letter to Nayanthara’s resilience and fairytale-like rise to stardom, but it misses the opportunity to truly explore her career, struggles, and artistic legacy in depth. The documentary's release became a topic of controversy even before its premiere. Actor Dhanush issued a legal notice to the makers, demanding ₹10 crores in damages for using Naanum Rowdy Thaan (NRD) content without permission, claiming copyright over the footage. In a bold and direct response, Nayanthara fired back, dismissing Dh...

Review: Vandhandhi - A Fable of Veloni (Amazon Prime) Verdict: Technically sound, one-time watch; marred by weak moral compass, convenient storytelling, and unnecessary length. Direction: Andrew Louis Produced by: Wall watcher films (Pushkar and Gayathri) Overview: The series revolves around the suspicious death of Veloni and the investigation that follows, set against the picturesque landscapes of Nagercoil-Kanyakumari. The narrative unfolds from the perspective of a police officer and explores the lives of Veloni’s widowed mother and her teenage daughter,who run a lodge to make ends meet. The mystery primarily circles around three suspects: A writer, A guest at the lodge and Three brothers living in the woods. Performances: SJ Suryah (OTT debut), Makes an effort to play a subdued role, deviating from his usual intensity, though his performance feels strained at times. Sanchana (Veloni) (Mainstream debut)-familiar face to YouTube audiences; her portrayal leaves a modest impression. La...