Like Keerthy Sureshs Penguin, which also premiered on Prime video, Anushka starrer Nishabdham deals with the suspense elements. This is a whodunnit with a twist.

Thrillers like this work only when the twists and turns have a solid reason to back up them or the screenplay is quite engaging. When the motive is unconvincing, the entire plot collapses like a house of cards. This exactly has what happened in the case of Nishabdham. 

Director Hemanth Madhukar begins the story with the voiceover of Anjali, who is investigating the story of Anushka and Madhavan. By narrating the story from her angle, the director has able to create good suspense. 

In the very first 16 minutes, Madhavan is murdered, and Shalini goes missing. All these angles have already been shown in the trailer as well. So, the director has managed to hook us to the story. But the unraveling of the mystery where the director falters big time.

The film runs helter skelter in the middle portions with non serious treatment as well. The scenes of the US police investigation process are depicted laughably. The conversations between Anjali and her husband Avasarala is testimony to the non serious approach of a thriller. 

When the story comes to the main twist, the film falls completely. Plus, the backstory sounds implausible. There is no emotional connection either. 

Spoiler alert The emotion that we feel in Shawshank Redemption lacks here. The extended climax is a big yawn. 

While the presence of prominent actors like Anushka Shetty, Madhavan, and Anjali playing the main roles has worked to its advantage. But the narration is Plus, the message, in the end, seems quite forced.

Director Hemanth Madhukar and Kona should have worked on the final portions more.

Overall, barring the screen presence of Anushka Shetty and the initial suspense mood, Nishabdham joins the other recent direct digital thrillers that have failed to make an engaging watch.

Greatandhra