Narivetta (2025) Movie NetMirror

Narivetta (2025) has emerged as one of the most talked-about Malayalam releases of 2025. Directed by Anuraj Manohar, this action drama tackles sensitive socio-political issues with remarkable courage.

The film features powerhouse performer Tovino Thomas in the lead role, supported by veteran actor Suraj Venjaramoodu and Tamil actor-filmmaker Cheran. Produced by Tippushan and Shiyas Hassan under Indian Cinema Company, this ₹10 crore budget film is set against Kerala’s tribal heartlands.

Narivetta Movie Casting

Plot and Storyline

The story centers around Varghese Peter (Tovino Thomas), a reluctant police constable who joins the force due to family pressures. Initially viewing his job as a compromise, Varghese finds himself assigned to a remote tribal region in Wayanad.

The narrative follows his journey from a disinterested officer to someone who confronts harsh realities of systemic oppression. Set against the backdrop of the real-life 2003 Muthanga tribal protest, the film explores devastating consequences when peaceful protests turn violent.

Caught in this chaos, Varghese must choose between blindly following orders and standing up for justice. The screenplay effectively portrays the inner conflict of duty versus morality.

Cast Performance

Tovino Thomas delivers one of his most compelling performances as Varghese Peter. His portrayal is deeply moving and layered, showing transformation from a reluctant officer to someone who understands his true purpose.

Suraj Venjaramoodu provides excellent support as Basheer Ahammed, a senior police officer. The scenes between Tovino and Suraj are particularly moving, with their mentor-mentee relationship forming the film’s emotional core.

Cheran, making his Malayalam debut, plays DIG R. Keshavadas IPS with gravitas. Arya Salim stands out as the tribal community spokesperson, bringing authenticity to her role.

Direction and Technical Excellence

Anuraj Manohar’s direction showcases maturity in handling sensitive political subjects. Following his successful debut with Ishq, he delivers a hard-hitting drama that makes audiences question the system.

The film’s cinematography by Vijay Iratta has been widely praised. The shots capture Wayanad’s beauty while contrasting it with harsh realities. Visual storytelling effectively balances natural beauty with unfolding events.

Jakes Bejoy’s musical score stands out as a major strength. I found the background score truly magical, adding emotional depth to crucial scenes. The song Vaada Veda particularly impressed me with its powerful composition.

Critical Reception and Ratings

Times of India rated the film 3.5 out of 5, calling it a brave, bold attempt with an important message. However, they noted the script felt muddled compared to similar films like Nayattu.

The Indian Express praised technical execution, especially cinematography and editing. They described it as a triggering reminder of a dark chapter in Kerala’s history.

Hindustan Times commended Tovino Thomas’s performance and the film’s impactful theme. The film currently holds a 7.0 rating on IMDb, indicating generally favorable audience response.

Public and Audience Reviews

Public response has been mixed but generally positive. Audience members praised the film’s message, with one review stating that Narivetta is not just a film, it’s a statement.

However, some viewers expressed disappointment. Critics noted the film misses opportunities by not making the protagonist from the affected tribal group. Unnecessary subplots, including a love story, have been criticized for diluting focus.

The Telugu-dubbed version received a 2.75/5 rating from 123Telugu, with reviewers appreciating the intense story while noting slow-paced narrative in the second half.

Box Office Performance

Narivetta performed respectably at the box office, showing consistent growth during opening weekend. On opening day, the movie recorded 34.34% Malayalam occupancy, grossing approximately ₹1.75 crore.

The second day witnessed growth, collecting ₹1.85 crore, bringing two-day total to ₹3.50 crore. This marked a 19% increase attributed to positive word-of-mouth.

The third day earned ₹2 crore, bringing opening weekend total to ₹5.20 crore. The film has managed to cover around 59% of its budget and continued performing well in subsequent weeks.

What I Liked About the Film

Powerful Theme: The film tackles an important subject with courage and conviction. I appreciated how it doesn’t shy away from showing uncomfortable truths.

Strong Performances: Tovino Thomas and Suraj Venjaramoodu deliver compelling performances. Their on-screen chemistry particularly moved me during emotional scenes.

Technical Excellence: Outstanding cinematography and music score enhance the viewing experience. I found Jakes Bejoy’s background score especially effective.

Social Relevance: The film serves as an important reminder of systemic oppression and need for justice.

What Could Be Better

Pacing Issues: The first half feels stretched, affecting overall engagement. I felt the narrative could have been tighter in certain sections.

Generic Approach: The storytelling approach feels familiar compared to similar Tamil films. I expected more innovation in narrative structure.

Character Focus: Centering the story around a police officer rather than affected tribal community limits authenticity. This creative choice somewhat diminished impact.

Unnecessary Subplots: The inclusion of love story and family drama dilutes focus from central theme.

Final Verdict

Narivetta stands as a well-intentioned film that tackles an important chapter in Kerala’s history with sincerity. While it may not reach cinematic excellence of similar Tamil films, it succeeds in starting important conversations.

The film serves as a powerful reminder of systemic oppression faced by marginalized communities. Despite flaws in pacing and approach, Narivetta deserves recognition for its bold attempt.

For viewers interested in socially relevant cinema and strong performances, Narivetta offers a worthwhile theatrical experience. The film’s technical excellence makes it worth experiencing on big screen.

Rating: 3.5/5

Narivetta is currently playing in theaters and available with Telugu dubbing for wider reach.