OTT Review : Ayali – Telugu dubbed series on ZEE5

ZEE5 has come up with a new web series named Ayali, which stars child actress Abhi Nakshatra in the lead role. The series is currently streaming on the OTT platform, and let’s see how it is.

 

Story:

A small village named Veerapannai has a set of customs and traditions that the residents have followed for years. Accordingly, girls who attain puberty are prohibited from going to school and should marry immediately. They believe that if someone contravenes the customs, it will result in the destruction of the village. But a girl named Ezhil Selvi (Abhi Nakshatra) tries to challenge the age-old traditions which restrained the development of women in the village. She aims to become a doctor breaking the norms. Did Ezhil succeed in her journey? What are the roadblocks she faced in this regard? Watch the show to know the answers.

 

Plus Points:

There are certain shows which make us think, and Ayali falls in this category. The series questions the misogyny and superstitions which are still present in today’s world. It stresses women empowerment and delivers a strong message that women are just not meant to do household chores and give birth to children.

The show is sensibly handled, and hence the message delivered hits one firmly. Had this aspect gone wrong, it would have become preachy. Credits to the writing team for coming up with solid and fine sequences that hold our attention thoroughly. There are scenes that make audiences feel like punching the antagonist in the face, which depicts the high quality of the writing.

Abhi Nakshatra was a perfect choice for Ezhil’s role, and the child actress gave a high-quality performance that will for sure invest us in the series. In crucial scenes, her expressions are sure to make our eyes teary. Ezhil’s character is tough to perform, and if not done correctly, the very purpose of the show would have failed. Abhi Nakshatra’s act is memorable, and she has a long way to go in her career.

The way the show is set initially is too good, and we start rooting for the characters from the very first scene. There are many moments that will touch our heartstrings. To name one, the scene where Ezhil hides her puberty from the village people is sure to bring a pleasant smile to the viewers’ faces.

Anumol as the mother of Abhi Nakshatra, is terrific. Her character has two shades, and Anumol played the role with conviction. Singampuli, TSR, Lingaa, Madhan, and Lovelyn are solid in their roles and bring depth to the series. The dialogues are well-written and elevate the proceedings.

 

Minus Points:

That being said, the series has its share of flaws too. There are a few songs that come during the series which drive the narrative. Unfortunately, the makers didn’t dub them in Telugu, and hence the impact in a few junctures got lessened. The logic of placing the Tamil songs just like that without dubbing is surprising.

The comedy in a few scenes didn’t work, and it really isn’t necessary for the selected plot. A few characters, like the burglar, had much more scope but weren’t etched well. Also, the placement of a few scenes could have been even better.

The series, at times, slows down considerably, and the mid-episodes were slightly underwhelming. The editing isn’t great, and the length could have been short. The climax lacks punch, and the series ends on an ordinary note.

 

Technical Aspects:

The rural atmosphere is well showcased, and special mention to Ramji’s exemplary cinematography. Revaa’s background score is fair, and the makers spent adequate money on the series. The editing is okay, but it could have been better.

Muthu Kumar, the writer and director of the series did a pretty good job. The emotional scenes are well-handled, and the way the message is delivered without going overboard is admirable. Muthu Kumar has extracted the best from the artists, and his vision is brilliant. Not just one, but there are a lot of relevant points that were discussed in the show.

 

Verdict:

On the whole, Ayali is a show that throws light on patriarchy in society. Commendable performances, powerful social message, and heartwarming moments are its assets. The serious subject is nicely narrated, and there are clap-worthy moments. But the issue lies with slow pacing and lengthy runtime. Hence Ayali ends up a decent watch this weekend.

123telugu.com Rating: 3/5

Reviewed by 123telugu Team

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