Title: Yashoda
CBFC Rating : UA
Run-Time: 2 Hrs 15 Min
Release Date: 11-11-2022
Banner: Sridevi Movies
Cast: Samantha Ruth Prabhu, Varalaxmi Sarathkumar, Unni Mukundan, Rao Ramesh, Sampath, Murali Sharma, Shatru and Others
Music: Mani Sharma
Cinematography: M. Sukumar
Editor: Marthand K Venkatesh
Producers: Sivalenka Krishnaprasad
Written & Directed By: Hari Narayan – Harish Shankar
Story:
Yashoda (Samantha) who is in need of money decides to be a surrogate mother. Yashoda enters a surrogacy facility, Eva, where she meets a number of other surrogate women. However, Samantha finds that there are some dark secrets going on in the surrogacy center run by Madhu (Varalaxmi Sarathkumar). What’s wrong with the establishment and what happens ultimately forms the rest of the story.
Performances:
Samantha is exceptional as surrogate mother. She carries the whole film on her shoulders and keeps the audience engaged on the edge of their seats from the start to finish. She strikes a perfect balance with innocence in the first half and intensity in the second half. She is highly impressive in the fight sequences. She is intense, focused, striking, and what not. Yashoda is Samantha’s show all the way.
Varalaxmi Sarathkumar as Madhu is quite impressive. She perfectly portrayed evilness of her role. The flashback episode of her stands out. Unni Mukundan, Rao Ramesh, Sampath Raj and the remaining supporting cast is good in their roles.
Highlights:
Samantha’s Performance
Interesting Premise
Twists & Turns
Production Values
Drawbacks:
Logicless Scenes
Untimely Revealing Of Twists
Analysis:
Director duo Hari & Harish came up with a very interesting plot with spine chilling aspects. The first half of the film sets up the world of Yashoda for most of the time until the pre-interval portion. Paralelly the murder mystery investigation is narrated in an exciting manner. The episodes of Samantha’s introduction, surrogacy, and the rest of the facility are interesting. Then towards the interval the film shifts to the thrilling zone, promising a solid subject for the second half with a good interval block.
The second half has a solid flashback of Varalaxmi Sarathkumar. The twists are quite interesting. But, some feels logicless and the reveal of the twists could have been handled better. But, the surrogacy and beauty aspect keeps the audience glued to the screens. These were narrated in very interesting manner. The final part of the film shifts towards action and emotion. Action part is well choreographed and Samantha aces it.
Dialogues by Pulagam Chinnarayana and Bhagya Lakshmi are effective and enhanced the plot. Background music by Mani Sharma could have been better. Art work deserves special mention. The surrogacy center is lavishly erected. Cinematography by Sukumar is neat. Production values are lavish. Producer Sivalenka Krishnaprasad deserves appreciation for backing such unique concept and made it on a lavish scale.
Rating: 3.25 / 5
Bottom-line: Unique Plot With Universal Appeal
