Harshini S V
Beautiful Romantic Arc
In an otherwise haunting story, writer-director Vasanthabalan manages to sprinkle a beautiful slow-burn romance between Thiru (Arjun Das) and Subha (Dushara Vijayan). Subha's intro is one of the sweetest moments in the film, superbly accentuated by GV Prakash’s soothing score.
An Interesting Premise
Thiru is a food delivery partner who has recurring thoughts and urges to kill people around him. Vasanthabalan carefully constructs a realistic portrayal of how our society treats a person with mental illness. How he manages to control this disorder and its consequences form the central storyline.
Addresses a plethora of social issues
Aneethi discusses the abuse a delivery person and domestic help have to endure, the perils of privatisation, police brutality, and the suffocating loneliness of old age. While the director manages to masterfully piece the different issues together, several instances appear contrived.
Great lead performances
Arjun Das shines as a man with a chaotic psyche. Be it when he is too shy to strike up a conversation with Subha or when he is constantly battling emotions, the actor brilliantly essays the role. Likewise, Dushara Vijayan excels as Subha, who appears innocent yet selfish.
Falters despite glimpses of beauty
The evolution of Thiru and Subha’s relationship exhibits some fine writing choices which remind you that Aneethi has its heart in the right place. During some important emotional scenes, the film often gives you the dread-in-the-pit-of-the-stomach feel. But everything else about the film seems half-baked.