Karuvanam

Best things come late in time! All throughout this year, the web series from Tamil zone have been not that much exciting. I expected that Amazon Prime would release the Suzhal Season 2 as soon as possible. But then, it got delayed. Just when I was about to get disappointed, I surprisingly came across KARUVANAM that came as a total astonishment. It was a kind of alien moment for me. I was so unfamiliar with the actors and technicians. Not even a single known face, but then, I started getting drawn into it. At moments, I felt that few episodes are slightly stretched out, but director proves us wrong, where he brings back the same scenes, to connect the dots, and then surprise us by the end.

Karuvanam is a series that boasts of stunning performances, top-notch technical aspects and brilliant crafting of screenplay.

Karuvanam strives to compete with the International 'Horror' genre, and manages to keep it standards on par with those acclaimed works on global platform. The characterisations are neatly written, and the way, the actors have inhaled the qualities, thereby delivering promising performances is appreciable. The first four episodes keeps us glued to the screens, and yes, the middle episodes go back in time to establish what's the actual mystery existing inside the house. But it's 'BOOM' moment from the Episode 9, especially, where an unexpected character turns out to be the 'Ghost' hunting down the victims. That's a spoiler, you would never like to reveal. Special mention to Sound Mixing and Background score. I loved the character of 'exorcist' who comes after 7th episode. His appearance is limited, but he just eclipses other actors with his realistic performance.

Outstanding horror series that I have seen in the past years. Ever since I started watching more shows on platforms like Netflix and Amazon Prime, this is the first time I feel a local show is more than the standard for Netflix. From the screenplay and story to making, camerawork, art direction, acting, everything is super top notch. This series deserves to go much further and get much more recognition worldwide to show that Singaporeans are capable of amazing stuff. Congratulations to Director and the whole team. I hope there is a season 2 in the making that they can do for a much bigger global platform.

I've been following the works of a talented director named Kumaran Sundaram for quite some time now. He has a unique ability to create a diverse array of telefilms and web series that showcase a wide range of genres and themes, often in striking contrast to one another.

Recently, I watched his enchanting telefilm "Jillunu Oru Kalavaram," which presented a charming fantasy that perfectly encapsulated the feel-good essence of family entertainment. It was whimsical and heartwarming, leaving me with a sense of joy. Shortly thereafter, I experienced another of his works-"Oh Butterfly"-a heart-touching love story that resonated deeply with me. The emotions portrayed were beautifully crafted, and the characters felt genuine and relatable.

However, just when I thought I had a grip on his directorial style, he surprised me with his gripping web series "Karuvanam," which took a terrifying turn into the horror genre. This series was filled with chilling moments that had me on the edge of my seat, proving that Kumaran Sundaram is capable of creating suspenseful and thrilling narratives as well.

Overall, when analyzing his body of work, what stands out to me is his ability to infuse an "Emotional Elegance" into his storytelling. Each character he creates is imbued with a profound sense of poignance, which adds depth to the viewing experience. There is one character in particular from "Director's Cut" that is designed to send shivers down your spine, and I'll refrain from giving any spoilers because the suspense is truly a part of the allure.

With all of the compelling narratives and emotional arcs he has crafted, I sincerely hope that his team explores the possibility of developing a feature-length movie adaptation of "Director's Cut." It would be fascinating to see how the rich storytelling translates to a film format.

I must admit, I wasn't initially familiar with the actors, but they delivered performances that were nothing short of exceptional. Their acting was so convincing that I found myself pondering whether these talented individuals hail from Singapore. After watching the series, it sparked a thought in my mind: it would be wonderful to see collaborations between these actors and the mainstream Tamil film and web series industries. It fills me with joy to see a diverse group of gifted writers, directors, and actors from different corners of the world working tirelessly to enrich the Tamil cinema landscape with their incredible talents.

Now, what is "Karuvanam" truly about? Interestingly, I thought it might have been more intriguing if it had been titled "BLACK FOREST," which could have captured even more attention (just a light-hearted suggestion!). However, the screenwriting deserves major accolades and recognition for its brilliance. The directorial skills displayed throughout the series are impressively refined, showcasing a level of maturity that enhances the overall viewing experience. The actors serve as the perfect embodiment of the characters, bringing depth and emotion to the narrative.

Among my favorite moments are those nuanced scenes that are sprinkled throughout the series, each leaving a lasting impression. However, I believe that what will ultimately resonate with most viewers is the second half, particularly the gripping episodes from Episode 6 to the finale. This part of the series is where the story truly captivates, weaving suspense and excitement that keeps the audience on the edge of their seats.