Movie Review: Deverakonda shines in NOTA, but the film lacks that punch

Despite that director Anand Shankar has managed to win thunderous applause for a few scenes that refers to some major political incidents in Tamil Nadu that happened in the last few years. Be it the late Chief Minister J Jayalalithaa’s hospitalisation controversy or MLAs Koovathur resort episode — the director has spared no politician. 

The film begins with a glamorous party song to convey to us that our hero Varun (Vijay Deverakonda) is a carefree, happy-go-lucky guy, who knows nothing about the world around. But within a few minutes, we get to see him as the Chief Minister of the state. Anand Shankar builds it in such a way that we know we are going to witness an engrossing thriller for the next two hours. The build up is good, but the characters and their struggles we witness are left incomplete and makes us ask for a justification. Coming back to the story — Varun’s father Vinodhan (Nasser) listens to the advice of a godman and asks his son to take up his CM position to save his party. Varun, whose only dream is to become a gaming expert in London, is left with no choice other than to take oath as the CM of the state. 

A tragic incident, that of a school girl’s death, changes his perspective about politics and makes him realise the dark side of it. He ends up making enemies out of his own political party members and outside as well. With many gunning for him, the rest of the story is about how he wins people’s heart and succeeds as a young CM. 

Trouble is that, what starts off as an engaging journey to change the system and politics of the state, suddenly turns into a routine one. Either there is a clash within party members or the opposition. However, a few scenes in which MS Baskar explains about the banner culture of local politics, and how party members prefer stickers to human life lifts the mood of the film. 

Sathyaraj’s characterisation as an advisor to Varun is interesting. However, his emotional track in the second half of the film doesn’t deliver the goods. Keeping the best for the last, Vijay Deverakonda has portrayed the layered character as Varun with some realism. NOTA is a good launchpad for Vijay Deverakonda in Tamil, but the film lacks the punch that is necessary for a mass political thriller.

Cast:   Vijay Deverakonda, Mehreen Pirzada, Sathyaraj, Nasser, Sanchana Natarajan, Kayal Varadharajan, Yaashika Anand, Motta Rajendiran, Karunakaran, MS Baskar    

Director: Anand Shankar 

Composer: Sam CS

Synopsis: A corrupt CM (Nasser) decides to pass on all his powers to his son (Vijay Deverakonda) overnight to save his party. Will the young CM succeed in effecting change in the society or becomes a prey for his own party members including his father?

Rating: 2.5/5