Ninnila Ninnila is an Indian Telugu Romantic comedy-drama film directed by Ani. I. V. Sasi. It stars Ashok Selvan, Ritu Varma, Nithya Menen, and Nasser in main roles and was released on 26th February 2021 on ZeePlex.
Dev (Ashok Selvan) after completing his hotel management course, arrives in London to work in a restaurant named Amara run by a head chef (Nasser) who is reputed for smashing plates and disapproving recipes by only the smell and has not cooked for 15 years. Dev suffers from muscle spasms and Tara (Ritu Varma) has seen him doing weird actions outside. Dev is a good chef and he impresses the head chef with his unusual cooking skills. Dev likes Tara but he is hiding his past which is related to his first love Maya (Nithya Menen).
Ani. I. V. Sasi has written the film and Ninnila Ninnila is a comforting and easy to sit film. Though it's very light-hearted and sweet, the characters have been handled well here. Why did Dev start cooking? His passions and love for it are very well showcased. Dev is not the perfect hero, he suffers from muscle spasms, he overeats, he has a big tummy. But his charm has taken over all his colleagues, even the head chef. He believes in his intuition while adding spices.
Whereas Tara is very meticulous, she works by setting alarms on her wristwatch and always counts how much spices and ingredients to add to the recipes. She has come to London to find his father, with whom she was separated at the age of 8. Tara falls for Dev and his food and Dev unfolds all his pasts about Maya. Dev and Maya were inseparable and it's her who made Dev's father believe in him to make him pursue his dream for cooking.
Whereas the head chef also gets a strong and sad backstory where he got separated from his wife and daughter Amara and in the name of her daughter he named the restaurant so. The first half is very enjoyable but Maya's over-sweet portrayal seems too much to handle in the second half. Nor the comic scenes of Sathya works here. Even I didn't get why London?? Just for international dishes and recipes. That could have been done in India too. However, the film is vibrant and relaxing, and cushy, though it deals with death and grief and reuniting with your loved ones, it might make you emotional but it tries to maintain a light mood throughout.
Ashok Selvan is phenomenal as Dev. His portrayal of Dev, with tummy one, is charming and likable and impresses in the backstory one too. Ritu Varma shines throughout as Tara. Look at her in the climax with Nasser when she breaks down. She's amazing. However, Nithya Menen has overplayed her character and hence Maya appears as a cartoon rather than a believable human. Nasser as the head chef has a strong presence. Sathya is wasted.
The cinematography by Divakar Mani is breathtaking. The London city has been captured beautifully. The restaurant, the kitchen, the delicious dishes....OMG..are striking to see. You'll want to dive into the plates. The art direction by Srinagendra Tangala is top-notch and the music by Rajesh Murugesan is breezy and comfy to ears. The editing by Navin Nooli is good, though the pacing is a bit slow, it's okay.
Ninnila Ninnila is a delicious therapy, because of amazing world-class dishes, and is likable and sweet. It's the kind of movie which you'll love to watch after you end up on your bed finishing your hectic schedule. Try it, it will relax you and sweeten your mind with its overdose of sweetness. Even it is too much, too much in many parts and nothing much happens in the story, you'll like it.
Rating:- 3/5
Now streaming on ZeePlex.
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