Nisaptham (The Silence) – Raw, Visceral Take On Mental Health

Darshan Kunasagran does it again. With Nisaptham he nettles the mind, letting the unease spread. He picks stories from the crevices of the society, strips them of any veneer, and lays bare the truth. This time, with mental health. The story follows Sasi (Habib) who seems to have it all–a loving spouse, a stable job, an engaging social life, but does that make up for all? Are all the social equities alone enough for a balanced state of mind? Does happiness have a manual that one can follow for effective functioning? We don’t get the answers, but with Nisaptham , we certainly get to know better–we know which questions to ask and perhaps how to prod gentler.

Shireen Halimah’s editing gives a seamless experience to this 08:34-minute long film. There’s an ebb and flow to its narrative that gives an unmistakable feeling of despair and helplessness to its viewing. Sasi remains the focal point throughout, but to Kunasagran’s credit, the screenplay allows enough material for the other characters to play with. Unlike other films of its genre and subject, what sets Nisaptham apart is the fact that the story lets the other characters play a pivotal role. We don’t remain solely focused on Sasi. Instead, very passively, through glances and exchanges, casual conversations between friends, in-laws, and other relatives, we see Sasi, as a fragile entity put under observation. The actors, all stellar in their portrayal make it even more voyeuristic. It’s hardly surprising then that towards the end, Sasi feels watched and judged, as do we.

Nisaptham isn’t educational, in fact, Kunasagran doesn’t even attempt to make it one. It’s a mere unraveling of the mind that is sensitively portrayed. There are no jokes, no subtexts, simply–a central character whose life is observed from the outside through the lens of all the individuals who truly care about him. What makes it important is that the film neither offers nor projects itself as a yardstick for understanding mental health; it merely offers a perspective of what might seem very normal on the outside, but painfully broken from within.

Nisaptham is particularly moving because of its cast. There’s an earnestness to their performance that almost seems as if they came together solely for the love of the subject. There’s sensitivity to their portrayal and a restraint to their performances that makes the film even more compelling to watch. A tender approach to a subject that is as complex as it can get, Nisaptham warrants multiple viewings for its cast and storyline.

Highly recommended!