Web Series Anthology Based on M.T. Vasudevan Nair’s Stories: A Mixed Reception
Once upon a time, films were often based on novels, naturally attracting audiences with strong narratives. However, with the rise of web series on OTT platforms, the demand for anthology stories has increased.
Renowned writers’ story collections are now being adapted into episodes. Similarly, the stories of famous Malayalam writer M.T. Vasudevan Nair have been adapted into a web series titled “Manorathangal.”
This web series has a unique feature: each story is presented as a standalone episode, with major roles played by prominent Malayalam stars such as Mohanlal, Mammootty, Fahadh Faasil, Biju Menon, Madhoo, Parvathy Thiruvothu, and Aparna Balamurali.
The series, directed by eight different filmmakers, comprises nine stories spread across nine episodes, which started streaming on ZEE5 from the 15th of this month.
In the black-and-white story “Olavum Theeravum,” Mohanlal plays the lead role of Bapputty, who falls in love with Nabisha, the sister of his friend.
However, Kunjali, a wealthy man, also desires Nabisha, leading her mother to decide to distance her daughter from Bapputty. The story unfolds with the consequences of this decision.
“Kadhugannawa” features Mammootty as Venu, a journalist who travels to Sri Lanka for an important meeting but starts searching for a young woman named Leela.
The story revolves around who Leela is and what connection Venu has with her.
In “Kazcha,” Parvathy Thiruvothu plays Sudha, a woman who loves music deeply. Unable to bear her husband’s disregard for her passion and his irresponsible behavior, she returns to her parental home, where she encounters various experiences that shape the story.
The story “Shilalikhitam” stars Biju Menon as Gopi and explores the fading sense of humanity amidst modern education on one hand and traditional practices on the other. It challenges the audience to think about who should learn from whom.
“Vilpan,” starring Madhoo, portrays how a lack of emotions can reduce a person to a mere object. “Sherlock,” with Fahadh Faasil and Nadiya in lead roles, reflects the struggles of those who migrate abroad in search of a better life. Aparna Balamurali’s “Kaadhalakattu” delves into the themes of attachment and attraction.
“Abhyam Theedi Veendum,” featuring Siddique, illustrates the bond with nature, while “Swargam Thurakkunna Samayam,” starring Nedumudi Venu, depicts the sorrow of a father longing for his children during his final days.
All these stories revolve around themes of relationships and emotions, exploring the bonds between spouses, lovers, parents, siblings, and even nature worship.
They beautifully capture the essence of human connections with delicate emotions. The actors who played the lead roles are all well-established, and the directors are award-winning talents.
However, the adaptation of these stories has not been entirely successful. While reading a story, one might visualize scenes in their mind, but when such stories are brought to the screen, they often progress slowly and methodically, which might be frustrating for today’s generation, who may lack the patience.
The decision to leave the endings open to the audience’s interpretation adds to this frustration.
These stories are all set in the Kerala region, and the locations in some of them are stunning. The visuals alone might be a reason to follow these stories.
Directors, music composers, and cinematographers have all contributed their best to bring these stories to the audience.
However, the main flaw seems to be the failure to engage the general audience, although those who appreciate emotion-driven stories might enjoy them.
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