Ever had conflicting opinions over the role of the executive arm of our country? You might stand in their full support most of the times, but sometimes, their wrongdoings and advocacy of breaking law can also leave you astounded.
Nayattu is one well-plotted story that shows the dynamics of the life of a police representative. Once a part of the tyrannical system, bootlicking and slobbering over politicians, the character later finds himself in a similar abominable situation in which the entire team of police, the CBI and politicians chasing like hungry wolves; all to save the social image of political leaders in the forthcoming elections.
The unexpected turn of events in the movie leave many questioning about our democratic systems:
- Is it the aam aadmi (common person) who must decide well before casting their vote and stop favouring the party over its local representative? Well, definitely, they must.
- Is it the Judiciary who must lay stricter norms against elected representatives while they try to overpower the executive arm of the country?
- Is it the administrators, the police, the CBI and other law enforcement agencies who must conclude their hateful pursuits of corrupt behaviour to secure their lives with good administrative positions, and pursue law and righteousness?
- Or is it the elected representatives who must practice their deeds well with full morality and ethicality?
Undoubtedly, all are desirable, but where should one start from? Whom should we address first? And who must do this? Anyway, coming back to the movie…
Interestingly, the movie touches upon many social aspects, one of them being casteism, but fails to elaborate it. The murder of Dalit activists shifts the entire focus of the movie from their activism to emerging vulnerabilities of being in a corrupt system. It also renders upon insecurities of a father about his daughter. Being in a system where every next case is about a heinous reality of a woman’s life — be it rape, abuse, theft, murder, child marriage, etc. — fighting against all odds, a man becomes sceptical of his own family. The way he rushes back from work to home, just to confirm that his daughter is home and safe.
The movie also touches upon the conflict of access of water in remotely located villages. In fact, a character in the movie, when trying to hide a policemen, says, “We do not prefer the police’s involvement because they can not solve matters distressing our lives, but expect us to show them all the documents, do all the verification process and bring out witnesses to prove them everything.”
At times, I felt how the role of police officer Sunitha is shown as submissive. She decided to give up, or was unable to survive the harsh conditions she was trained to be in. She was afraid, but her character went on to become passive. There are other issues you would come across, such as adolescent runaways, love affairs, the personal life of an honest policeman, women’s abuse and threats to life, etc.
Taking everything into account, this movie will keep you alongside, make you think at every step (only if you like this genre) and will precipitate some shocking realities.
Happy viewing.
Love and regards,
Lochan.