Saripodhaa Sanivaaram Review: Nani New Movie

The story of “Saripodhaa Sanivaaram” follows Surya (played by Nani), who leads a simple life as an insurance agent during the week. But on Saturdays, he lets his anger loose. There’s a reason behind this Saturday ritual. When Surya sees something wrong, he doesn’t ignore it. He waits until Saturday to fix things. Eventually, his path crosses with police officer Dayanand (played by SJ Suryah), who terrorizes the innocent people in the fictional town of Sokulapalem. Meanwhile, Surya’s romance with the new cop, Charulatha (played by Priyanka Arul Mohan), adds more interest to this conflict.

The movie has all the key elements of a mainstream action film. It includes a hero’s grand introduction, thrilling action scenes, a strong villain, and the classic fight between good and evil. Director Vivek tries his hand at action drama for the first time, bringing his unique touch. He gives depth to his characters, subtly promotes gender equality, and respects the audience’s intelligence—all of which elevate the film.

Saripodhaa Sanivaaram Review: Nani New Movie

The film, which runs for 175 minutes, is split into chapters: the prologue, the turn, the knot, the crossroads, hide and seek, and redemption. Anger is a constant theme throughout the story. Abhirami, who plays the mother, helps anchor the narrative. It’s clear where Surya’s sense of justice comes from. His family, especially his stubborn sister Bhadra (played by Aditi Balan), shares this trait, while his father Sankaram (played by Sai Kumar) tries to keep the family balanced.

As Surya’s world unfolds, with subplots explaining how his anger affects his relationships and others around him, the antagonist’s world is also carefully constructed. Dayanand’s misplaced anger and his relationship with his brother Kurmanand (played by Murali Sharma), mixed with dark humor, set the stage for what’s to come.

Compared to the deep stories of the main characters, Charulatha’s role might seem less engaging. However, despite her vulnerability, her character still helps move the story forward.

The movie has powerful moments, supported by a strong music score from Jakes Bejoy and intense visuals by cinematographer Murali G. The use of the red scarf and the recurring theme of red to symbolize anger are nice touches. The name “Surya,” the scarf as a memory of his mother, his anger issues, and his love interest who opposes violence, might remind viewers of Mani Ratnam’s “Thalapathy.” This connection is likely, given that director Vivek Athreya and Nani are known fans of Mani Ratnam. Early in the film, a scene on a sandy beach with a young mother and child on a log might also nod to “Kannathil Muthamittal.”

“Saripodhaa Sanivaaram” is filled with memorable characters—portrayed by Murali Sharma, Ajay, Ajay Ghosh, Harshavardhan, Jeevan Kumar, and others—who leave a mark. In one scene, a mother teaches her daughter to cook but advises her to see it as just another skill and not limit herself to the kitchen. A strong sister knows when to change her approach. A father who cooks, cleans, and cares for his children also gets his heroic moments. The hero, without fuss, becomes the passenger while the woman leads the way. Abhirami brings grace to her role, and Sai Kumar is steady as the father. However, Vishnu Oi’s character could have been developed more.

If there’s a complaint, it’s with the climax. The film tries hard not to make its hero a savior. It emphasizes that people must stand up for themselves. The Krishna-Satyabhama and Narakasura reference is beautifully reimagined at this point. But, the ending could have been better written.

The strength of the film lies in its writing, supported by the compelling performances of SJ Suryah as the villain and Nani with his controlled rage. Suryah shines in some of the best scenes and lines, exuding menace just by being on screen. Nani’s performance is more measured, seamlessly shifting between an ordinary man and a vigilant hero with deep emotions.