Janaki Jaane Movie Review: Potential character study marred by a dated conflict

The importance of an adversary in any story cannot be overstated. Interestingly, in Janaki Jaane, the protagonist's enemy is fear. A traumatic incident during her adolescence scars Janaki (Navya Nair) for life. It incites in her a fear of darkness. She sleeps with the lights on. She can't walk alone through narrow, isolated lanes. She can't even use the washroom alone; and needs someone guarding it on the outside. Now this has all the elements for an intriguing character study. But writer-director Aniesh Upaasana fritters a great opportunity by incorporating a dated conflict at the halfway mark.

Director: Aniesh Upaasana

Cast: Navya Nair, Saiju Kurup, Johny Antony, Kottayam Nazeer

Navya Nair, who made an impressive comeback last year with Oruthee, continues her fine form playing Janaki, a naive small-town woman. It's a character right up Navya's alley, and she perfectly imbibes the traits of an anxious person. Comedy has always been Navya's stronghold, and in this film, with her character's peculiar condition, there are plenty of genuinely funny moments.

Janaki refrains from getting married as she doesn't want someone else to suffer because of her condition. But then comes Unni Mukundan (Saiju Kurup), who instantly falls for her and marries her despite knowing everything about her. Saiju Kurup shares good chemistry with Navya as he puts on a charming act as the understanding partner. His sub-contractor character and his struggles to get cheques cleared seems like a hat tip to Mohanlal's contractor CP from Vellanakalude Nadu (1988). Even the aviator sunglasses are retained as such.

Almost the entire first half is devoted to establishing Janaki and her fear issues. The conflict is introduced right at the interval block, and from there, it's a series of generic moments before reaching the resolution part, which falls way short of the intended high. It is the vapid writing post-conflict that robs the film of its real potential. Apart from Janaki and, to an extent, Unni, all the other characters in the film are painted in broad strokes. Take, for example, the ammayi's character played by Sminu Sijo. She is the typical scheming aunt from the 80s and 90s films whose sole intention is bad-mouthing. Similarly one-dimensional are the political leaders in the film. 

Janaki Jaane is essentially about the coming of age of Janaki, and to facilitate that, the narrative introduces two new characters in the second half. Played by Sharafudheen and Anarkali Marikar, they are the typical happy-go-lucky, modern couple with a jeep and guitar. As one would naturally expect, there's a sob story behind their cheerful lives. No, not cancer. It's another rare disease this time. Manu (Sharafudheen), who is said to have studied a bit of psychology and read several books, occasionally slips into some serious philosophy and helps Janaki overcome her fears.

Janaki Jaane is slightly problematic because the film doesn't endorse therapy or seeking medical help to overcome fears. It instead belittles fear as just another state of mind that can be controlled with willpower. It's probably true in some cases like that of Janaki, but the film seems to be making a generalised statement, which is quite unsettling. Perhaps the makers should have exercised the same caution they showed in not ridiculing Janaki's condition at any point.