Review of “Night Curfew”: In this medical thriller, Malashree takes the lead in action
Even though the epidemic has mostly passed, filmmakers are still drawn to that tumultuous period of history, and “Night Curfew,” their most recent production, is another one of those works. The film explores the nuances of criminality and social unrest in addition to depicting the effects of the epidemic, despite its delayed release in theaters. Real-life events are expertly woven into the movie by Ravindra Venshi, who also masterfully combines them with an engaging criminal plot.
Playing the role of a doctor, Malashree is at the center of everything. Her persona, meanwhile, transcends the stereotypical notion of a doctor. Instead, against the background of a hospital, her presence adds a fusion of medical knowledge and movement to the picture. The sight of covered faces, the loss of livelihoods, and the terrible death toll transport viewers back to the harsh reality of the epidemic period. We meet Durga (Malashree), a physician who was in the army before, in this setting as she navigates the difficulties of working at a hospital. Durga struggles with a constant feeling of isolation and hopelessness every day, and she is certain that holding onto one’s religion is essential while facing hardship.
Another committed physician named Vedha (Ranjani Raghavan) joins her. In addition to caring for the COVID patients, Durga and Vedha have a problem when an enigmatic patient is admitted to the hospital at midnight. A simple medical case quickly turns into a complicated web of intrigue as the patient’s purported family demand that justice be served for her premature death.
When one of these relatives, Raghuram (Pramod Shetty), requests a medical document stating COVID-19 as the reason for the woman’s death, suspicions are aroused over the possible exploitation of the pandemic’s name for private benefit. However, after further investigation, the physicians find something startling: COVID had nothing to do with the woman’s murder. In the meanwhile, Sadhu Kokila and Manju Pavagada, two commoners, are the focus of another parallel tale.
Desperate for alcohol, both imprisoned within four walls, they go out to steal a few bottles from a store. There, they come upon a guy they first believe to be dead but who turns out to be inebriated and connected to the hospital event. The last portion of the narrative is told by what happens within the hospital. The narrative illustrates how even the sanctity of life is commodified for profit and how a few individuals took use of the epidemic for their personal gain, amid accusations of foul play and the search for a death certificate. It also brings to mind the difficulties encountered by frontline staff members and the precarious equilibrium between personal and public health.
Malashree is highlighted in the movie. Malashree, while being portrayed as the underdog, steps up to play a hero in the movie, taking on the antagonists with a barrage of powerful blows and adding a shadow of an investigative side to her character. Additionally, Raja Balawadi plays one of the villains in the movie, while Rangayana Raghura makes a cameo appearance as a police officer.
In the course of one night, what begins as a medical drama turns into a thrilling pursuit that takes place within the hospital walls. The bad guys are defeated before daybreak, and the cops show up to finish the paperwork. The movie illuminates the pandemic’s aftermath along the way, showing how some dishonest people take advantage of the circumstances for their own benefit.
Fans of Malashree who are itching to see the Lady Super Star return to action will love this picture, which centers on the pandemonium of the pandemic period. Even if it’s best seen once, “Night Curfew” accomplishes its objectives.
