Microscopicdarshini is an entertaining and mysterious mystery-thriller film released in Malayalam language in 2024. The film is directed by M. C. Jithin and the writing is done by Libin T. B. and Atul Ramachandran. The film stars Nazriya Nazim and Bazil Joseph in the lead roles, while Akhila Bhargavan, Merin Philip and Pooja Mohanraj play supporting roles. The film is the story of a housewife named Priyadarshini, who lives with her family in a quiet neighbourhood and whose life gets entangled with the arrival of a mysterious man Manuel.
The story of the film takes a thrilling turn when Priyadarshini becomes suspicious of Manuel’s activities and starts spying on him herself. Slowly the story unfolds in many layers and the film moves towards a thrilling climax. The director has brilliantly presented suspense and drama even while working in a limited location. Nazriya’s acting comeback and the female lead detective role become the highlights of the film. ‘Sookshmadarshini’ is an impressive and thought-provoking cinema that keeps the audience captivated till the end.
| Attribute | Details |
|---|---|
| Title | Sookshmadarshini (transl. Microscope) |
| Language | Malayalam |
| Genre | Mystery, Thriller |
| Release Date | 22 November 2024 |
| Running Time | 143 minutes |
| Country | India |
| Directed By | M. C. Jithin |
| Written By | Libin T. B., Athul Ramachandran |
| Produced By | A. V. Anoop, Shyju Khalid, Sameer Thahir |
| Main Cast | Nazriya Nazim, Basil Joseph |
| Supporting Cast | Akhila Bhargavan, Merin Philip, Pooja Mohanraj, Deepak Parambol, others |
| Cinematography | Sharan Velayudhan Nair |
| Editing | Chaman Chacko |
| Music By | Christo Xavier |
| Production Companies | AVA Productions, Happy Hours Entertainments |
| Distributed By | Bhavana Release (India), Berkshire Dreamhouse (Overseas, non-GCC) |
| Budget | ₹10–14 crore |
| Box Office Collection | ₹55–56 crore (estimated) |
| Notable Facts | Marks Nazriya Nazim’s comeback after 4 years since Trance (2020) |
| Filming Locations | Mainly shot in Kolenchery, Kerala |
Sookshmadarshini Story
Sookshmadarshini is a 2024 Malayalam mystery-thriller film that presents the story of a housewife named Priyadarshini aka Priya. Priya lives in a quiet neighborhood with her husband Anthony and daughter Kani. She is looking for a job and gives an interview in a company along with her neighbor Steffi. Meanwhile, a man named Manuel moves into the neighborhood with his elderly mother Grace and takes over his father’s bakery. Though the neighborhood likes Manuel, Priya is suspicious of him.
Priya becomes alarmed by Manuel’s suspicious behaviour, especially when he serves mongoose meat at a meat party. Manuel hatches a conspiracy with the help of his uncle Roy and cousin Dr. John. One day Grace goes missing and the police recover her from the police station, but Priya cannot believe that Grace has Alzheimer’s as she has always seen Grace behave normally.
Steffi, who becomes Manuel’s girlfriend, stops by to take care of Grace one day, but Manuel plans to knock her and Grace unconscious. Meanwhile, Priya sneaks into Manuel’s house to confirm her suspicions and sees a blood stain on a wall. She later learns that it is the remains of human bones.
The climax of the film comes when it is revealed that Manuel, Roy, John and Grace killed Manuel’s sister Diana because of her gender identity. Priya’s intelligence brings out the truth and all the culprits are arrested.
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Trailer
Review
Recently, I watched the Malayalam film Sookshmadarshini with my family, and it was undoubtedly one of the best films I have seen in recent years. The film starts off on a slow note, where the story is slowly established. But as the film picks up pace after the interval, the audience is glued to their seats. The twists and turns in the second half are so unpredictable that the suspense remains alive at every moment.
The best part of this film is its brilliant acting and strong screenplay. Nazriya Nazim, who has returned to the big screen after a gap of four years, has given a wonderful performance in the role of ‘Priyadarshini’. Her performance perfectly depicts the journey from a simple housewife to a brave woman with detective instincts. On the other hand, Basil Joseph has played the character of ‘Manuel’ with a lot of mystery and calm, which keeps the suspense alive in the story.
The journey of Priya suspecting her neighbour Manuel and then slowly unravelling the layers of secrets is extremely interesting. Nazriya’s character first comes across as a curious neighbour, but as she comes closer to unraveling Manuel’s secret, her character takes on depth and seriousness. While she has effortlessly portrayed the moments of laughter, she has also portrayed the emotions of thrill and fear brilliantly.
Director M.C. Jithin has woven thriller and dark comedy in a very balanced manner. The comic moments in the film not only bring laughter but also keep the story light-hearted, keeping the audience engaged. The film also sensitively highlights serious problems of society – such as honour killing and intolerance towards gender identity – through characters like Grace, John and Roy.
The film’s cinematography, background music and editing are all excellent. The location selection and camera work effectively reflect the mysterious and suspenseful atmosphere of the story.
The biggest success of this film is that it entertains the entire family and also makes them think. This perfect blend of thrill, humor and emotion makes it different and memorable from the usual thrillers.
If you are a thriller fan and want a strong story, great acting and perfect screenplay – then Sukshmadarshini is a must-watch experience for you. This film is definitely a gem worth watching.
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Conclusion
Sukshmadarshini is a brilliant thriller that presents a balanced blend of mystery, emotions and humour. Nazriya Nazim’s strong comeback, director M.C. Jithin’s vision and the impressive performances of the cast take the film to new heights. The story of the film not only entertains but also makes you think about social issues. If you want to watch a film that will keep you hooked, shocked and thoughtful till the end – then Sukshmadarshi is a must watch. It is a complete family thriller experience that should not be missed.