Latest news with #KusheeRavi
New Indian Express
28-05-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Rajagopal: The real thrill of Neethi lies in the discovery
After the success of Ayyanna Mane—the first-ever Kannada web series to clock over 100 million streaming minutes—Kushee Ravi is back in the spotlight with her latest project, Neethi, an emotional suspense thriller. The makers are confident that audiences will be on the edge of their seats. We caught up with debutant director Rajagopal, who makes his long-awaited entry into direction with Neethi, produced by Gautham Manivannan's Director's Cut Productions. Having previously worked alongside some of the industry's noted filmmakers, Rajagopal shares, 'Neethi is a deeply personal story. It explores loneliness, unexpected connections, and the haunting consequences of secrets. I wanted to create a film that keeps the viewer guessing while connecting with them emotionally.'
New Indian Express
28-04-2025
- Entertainment
- New Indian Express
Ayyana Mane Series Review: A brooding thriller with the familiarity of TV soaps
A haunted house, a newlywed bride, and secrets that whisper through the walls— Ayyana Mane plays like a page straight out of a folklore that is stitched into a sleek six-episode mystery. Directed by Ramesh Indira and produced by Shruti Naidu, this brooding thriller walks a delicate tightrope between the familiar comforts of television and the creative liberties of streaming. Set in the lush, rain-washed 90s of Chikkamagaluru, Ayyana Mane begins with a hopeful newly-married woman Jaaji (Kushee Ravi) who steps into her husband Dushyantha's (Akshay Nayak) ancestral home—an almost too-quiet place shadowed by grief. Moments later, her father-in-law dies, and from that point on, the house seems to simmer with unease. Each creak in the floorboard and each sideways glance hints at something darker. It is at this point that another chilling discovery emerges—a trail of daughter-in-law deaths, stretching through generations. Cast: Kushee Ravi, Manashi Sudhir, Hitha Chandrashekar, Anirudh Acharya, Akshay Nayak, and Ramesh Indira Director: Ramesh Indira Streaming on: Zee5 The story unfolds in approximately 20 minute episodes, designed to hook viewers and not linger—a structural win. Each episode leaves you hanging just enough to hit the next episode button, and it is here that the show quietly flexes its format—a web series that chooses restraint over indulgence, rarely straying into filler or loud melodrama. Interestingly, Ayyana Mane also carries another label—it's Zee5's first original Kannada web series. While that's a notable move for regional content, it's also begs to ask a bold question: Can this series break away from the traditional TV template that has long defined Kannada storytelling? Can it claim the freshness that the OTT space offers? Ramesh Indira builds the mystery using an interesting blend of whodunnit and folk horror. The show taps into the cultural echoes of Daiva worship—a spiritual element that found wide popularity after Kantara. The mysterious Kondarayya, a spirit-like presence, becomes central to the narrative: is he a protector, or is his wrath behind the tragedy? The question lingers throughout, adding a folk-horror sheen to what is otherwise a grounded domestic thriller. Performance-wise, Kushee Ravi does most of the heavy lifting. Her character Jaaji is innocent but observant, fearful but never passive. It is through her eyes that we read many silences in the house— from her mother-in-law Nagalambike (Manasi Sudhir), the disturbed Charulatha, an unsettling cameo by Archana Kottige, and the uneasy Dushyantha, who is an emotionally opaque husband trying to shield secrets under the guise of tradition. Even director Ramesh Indira plays a role in the series. The other cast members—including Hitha Chandrashekar as Pushpavathi, Anirudh Acharya, and Akshay Nayak—bring depth without overplaying it, though some characters could have benefited from more nuanced development. Technically, the show is a quiet win. Rahul Roy's cinematography wraps the story in low-lit tension. There's no overuse of flashy lighting or dramatic music—instead, the mood and atmosphere is lifted through meticulous restraint. Chikkamagaluru isn't glorified either. It feels lived in, slightly cold, almost like the house is breathing along with the story. And yet, for all its craft and effort, Ayyana Mane can't completely shrug off its television roots. The storytelling dips into familiar zones—the overprotective mother, the emotionally distant husband, kitchen scenes loaded with tension, and red herrings that feel a bit too convenient. There's also the case of themes that are touched but not explored— trauma, mental illness, grief, and gender politics—all are hinted at but left underdeveloped. The plot's biggest twists lean toward safety, and while they hold your attention, they don't exactly shake you. What starts as a potentially rich psychological mystery, slowly settles into a more straightforward whodunnit. However, what works in Ayyana Mane is its intention. It doesn't want to be loud. It doesn't want to stretch forever. And even when it plays safe, it's trying to deliver a better product than what Kannada TV viewers have been fed for decades. That in itself deserves some credit. If you're someone used to Kannada television, this might feel like a much-needed upgrade—minus the over-the-top performances, and deafening music. If you're a regular OTT viewer, it's a decent weekend watch — one that brings a whiff of homegrown storytelling, even if it's not entirely pathbreaking. Ayyana Mane is a modestly gripping, atmospherically told series. It doesn't push boundaries, but it doesn't embarrass either. It's a welcome step into original Kannada storytelling. For viewers, it's a reminder that sometimes, even a house full of ghosts can feel strangely familiar.
Scroll.in
25-04-2025
- Entertainment
- Scroll.in
‘Ayyana Mane' review: A feeble attack on superstition
In the Kannada series Ayyana Mane on ZEE5, a wealthy family in Chikmagalur is plagued by a series of mysterious deaths. One death takes place on the day Jaaji (Kushee Ravi) enters the clan as the bride of Dushyantha (Akshay Nayak). Her father-in-law collapses, never to rise again. Is the family deity demanding sacrifices? Is there a curse on Dushyantha's sister and the other daughters-in-law, who are all perishing one by one? Adding to Jaaji's woes is the insistence of her mother-in-law Nagamma (Manasi Sudhir) that Jaaji keep her opinions to herself. Whatever happens in the household stays in the household, Nagamma insists. Written and directed by Ramesh Indira, Ayyana Mane feels like a television serial or a film that has been split into six episodes. The initial intrigue eventually dissipates because of the absence of atmospherics and the sense of dread that is usually found in a house of horrors. Also missed is the opportunity to question superstitious beliefs. The ultimate reason for the series of deaths is feeble and barely plausible, given that all the victims are found in or around the house. Kushee Ravi makes for a decently convincing heroine trying to hold on to her sanity. Manasi Sudhir has a suitably authoritative presence in a family that is falling apart. Costume designer Shilpa Hegde deserves a shout-out for picking a gorgeous range of saris. One of the garments is even written into the plot. Play
