Nidradevi Next Door – Movie Review

Debutant director Suraag Sagar, with a film school background and a flair for dark comedies, attempts to blend insomnia, trauma, and human connection into a layered psychological drama. His effort is ambitious, and although the film stumbles at places, it announces the arrival of a voice that is not afraid to experiment.

At the heart of the story is Dhruva, played by Praveer Shetty, whose struggle with sleepless nights and childhood scars drives the narrative. Praveer, still fresh to cinema, shoulders the complex role with sincerity, and his rawness actually works in favor of the character’s vulnerability. Opposite him, Rishika Naik as Riddhima adds much needed warmth. She continues the promise she showed in Juni with a performance full of restraint and subtlety.

The supporting cast lends solidity. Sruthi Hariharan brings poise and depth, while Sudharani enriches the flashback sequences with emotional weight. Shine Shetty injects energy into Vikram, although his track at times feels more like a narrative distraction than an organic extension of Dhruva’s journey.

Technically, the film has strong pillars. Ajay V. Kulkarni’s cinematography captures the unsettling texture of sleeplessness with moody frames and clever use of shadow. Nakul Abhyankar’s score, weaving lullaby motifs with darker soundscapes, complements the emotional arc. Hemanth Kumar’s editing could have been tighter, especially in the middle stretch where the pacing wavers, but it does allow some scenes to breathe.

Thematically, Nidradevi Next Door wants to explore how guilt, grief, and the search for solace can manifest in our subconscious. For long stretches, it succeeds. The mood is immersive, the emotional beats resonate, and the film dares to be different from the formulaic fare. Yet, when it tries to juggle too many threads including trauma, rivalry, healing, and even a tech angle, it loses focus. The final act, although visually striking, does not deliver the emotional punch that the build up promises.

In the end, Nidradevi Next Door is not flawless, but it is heartfelt. It has the sincerity of a first time filmmaker who believes in cinema as an experience rather than a product. That sincerity, supported by committed performances and strong technical craft, makes it worth a watch.

Verdict: A moody and ambitious debut that shines in parts, falters in others, but leaves a lingering impression.

Rating: 3/5