Medium : Malayalam
Starring : Sidharth Bharathan, Rima Kallingal, Jishnu, 'Thalaivasal' Vijay, Vijay Menon, Manikandan, Sarayu, KPAC Lalitha
Director : Sidharth Bharathan
Music : Jassie Gift
Bg Score : Prasanth Pillai

Another remake has been released; this time it is something special, as it is a Bharathan project, re-created by his son Sidharth Bharathan, after more than two decades. Sidharth is notable to us as an actor through movies like 'Nammal' 'Koottu' and  'Kaakka Karumban', later he joined Priyadarshan's camp as an assistant director. His independent directorial venture is 'Nidra', did by Vijay Menon (his debut movie) and Shanthi Krishna, in the past.

The movie is produced by Lucsam Creations, the producers of 'Salt N Pepper'. Though the movie was planned and pre-publicity stills were taken with Manu ('Tournament' fame), doing the lead role, when the shooting started, due to some unknown reasons, the director Sidharth Bharathan himself became the hero. Rima Kallingal is the heroine.

Sidharth's friend in 'Nammal', Jishnu (s/o actor Raghavan), did a notable role here. The hero in the original version, Vijay Menon has also got a character role to do. KPAC Lalitha is the proud mother in the movie, directed by his son. The cinematography is handled by Sameer Thahir (director of 'Chaappa Kurishu' and cinematographer of 'Big B', 'Daddy Cool'). Jassie Gift is the music director. Prasanth Pillai ('City of God' fame) handles the bg score section. The shooting of the movie happens at Athirappally, Vaazhachaal and the areas surrounded by Sholayar dam. The adapted screenplay is written by Sidharth Bharathan and Santhosh Echikkanam.

The movie deals with the story of an youth (Sidharth Bharathan), who has been suffering from a mental disorder in the past and has recovered from it. He marries his childhood friend (Rima Kallingal) and lover. The recently married couple wants to move freely, but they were not allowed to do so. The provocative attitude of the hero's relatives, made the situation worse, at a certain point.      

The narraation of this psycho-romantic story is simple. I have not seen the original 'Nidra' version, so I can't compare and analyze, how far the young director has shown justice to it. As a new comer, Sidharth Bharathan had created the movie in an acceptable manner, without spoiling his father's name. There is no complexity in it, the story and its narration is also simple, except for the few technical gimmicks at the psychic episodes of the hero. The main attraction of the movie is its brilliant and colorful cinematography by Sameer Thahir. The selection of locations is another highlight. The climax is created in a different style, a flavor of foreign movies are there. The length of the movie comes at around 110mnts, which is a welcome move from the part of the creators.

Though the performance is not extraordinary, Sidharth Bharathan did the role in an acceptable way, as the theme demands. Rima Kallingal is natural and gave a good company. Jishnu has got a come back role in this movie. 'Thalaivasal' Vijay is good. Songs by Jassie Gift are good for the mood, they are visualised well, 'Shalabha Mazha...' by Shreya Ghoshal is a rememberable one. Bg Score by Prasanth Pillai is good for the mood, the climax theme has got the style of some Korean movies. Bavan Sreekumar is the editor.

The story and presentation of Nidra is simple, accompanied by some colorful visuals. It will be a good experience, if you are ready to accept the theme.

Rating : 7.5 / 10