suresh kavirayani
S Sashikanth, who has produced many Tamil, Telugu, Malayalam and Hindi films under his production house YNOT Studios, makes his directorial debut with Test. He roped in a stellar cast, including Madhavan, Siddharth, Nayanthara and Meera Jasmine, making it a significant film in terms of the ensemble. Written by Sashikanth and Suman Kumar, the film is directly released on Netflix, with Chakravarthy Ramachandra as the co-producer. Test is a sports drama that coincides with the ongoing IPL season in India, possibly to make the release timely and relevant.
Story
Arjun Venkataraman (Siddharth) is a star cricketer struggling to regain his form. He prioritises cricket over his family and gets one last chance to prove himself in a Test match against Pakistan in Chennai. Meanwhile, Saravanan (Madhavan) is a scientist who invents a cheap fuel to run vehicles. He seeks government approval for his thesis, facing a bribe demand of Rs 50 lakhs.
On the other side, Kumuda (Nayanthara), Saravanan’s wife, works as a teacher and dreams of having children. She wishes to undergo IVF treatment, which costs Rs 5 lakhs. Interestingly, Arjun is a schoolmate of Kumuda and she is an ardent fan of his.
The lives of these three individuals become intertwined with the Chennai Test. How do they navigate their personal struggles, and what are the circumstances they face? Will Arjun regain his form in the Chennai Test? How did Saravanan manage to gather the Rs 50 lakh bribe? What happens to Kumuda’s dream of having children? To find out, you’ll need to watch Test.
Analysis
Sashikanth, with his extensive experience as a producer, made a confident directorial debut. He introduces the characters—Arjun, Saravanan, and Kumuda—highlighting their priorities and personal goals. Arjun, a star cricketer, is desperate to regain his form. Saravanan, an intelligent scientist, wants to make his invention accessible to the world. Kumuda, a caring teacher, dreams of starting a family.
The film starts with their individual stories, but things take an interesting turn when Arjun’s son enters Kumuda’s life. The narrative intensifies as Arjun gets selected for the Chennai Test, attracting attention from bookies. Saravanan, desperate for money, kidnaps Arjun’s son to secure the Rs 50 lakhs needed for his project.
From this point, Sashikanth crafts a gripping narrative filled with twists and emotional highs and lows. The film delves into how people, even the most intellectual, can fall to desperate measures when faced with dire circumstances.
Performances
Madhavan delivers a standout performance as Saravanan. His portrayal of a scientist transitioning from a lighthearted character to one driven by desperation is exceptional. His expressions and emotional depth make his performance truly captivating.
Nayanthara shines as Kumuda, showcasing her versatility. Her emotional range is evident, especially in the second half when she deals with the kidnapping situation and supports Saravanan, despite the moral conflict.
Siddharth impresses as Arjun, portraying the internal struggle between his passion for cricket and his responsibilities towards his family. His scenes with the captain and coach are particularly powerful.
Meera Jasmine also stands out as Arjun’s wife, delivering an impactful performance. The emotional confrontation between her and Siddharth in the second half is a highlight. The supporting cast adds value, enhancing the film’s emotional and narrative depth.
Technical Aspects
The cinematography, led by Viraj Singh Gohil, deserves special mention. The cricket sequences are captured with authenticity, making them feel real and engaging. The camera work adds to the film’s dramatic tension, especially in the emotionally charged scenes.
The music by Shakthisree Gopalan complements the narrative effectively. The background score enhances the emotional beats, while the songs align well with the story’s tone.
Verdict
Test is a well-written sports drama that unfolds in an intriguing manner. While the initial part of the film is slightly slow, the narrative gains momentum once Madhavan’s character takes a dark turn.
It’s unfortunate that such a stellar cast, including Madhavan, Nayanthara and Siddharth, couldn’t have a theatrical release. However, Test is available on Netflix and is definitely worth watching, thanks to Madhavan’s exceptional performance.
Cast: Madhavan, Siddharth, Nayanthara, Meera Jasmine, Nassar, Mohan Raman, Vinay Varma and others
Cinematographer: Viraj Singh Gohil
Music director: Shakthisree Gopalan
Writers: S Sashikanth, Suman Kumar
Producers: Chakravarthy Ramachandra, S Sashikanth
Director: S Sashikanth
Streaming on: Netflix
Rating: 3/5
