The gift of focus

‘Parrisu’

– Review

The narrative revolves around Jaanvi (Jaanvekaa Subramaniam), a determined engineering college student. 

She excels academically and has a keen interest in competitive sports, particularly rifle shooting, a skill she hones under the guidance of her military veteran father.

The central conflict is external and social: the persistent romantic advances and “gifts” (the literal parisu) from male classmates who misinterpret her focused demeanor. 

Jaanvi views these overtures not as flattery, but as distractions—a form of “seasonal disturbance” that threatens her concentration. 

The film charts her path as she navigates these pressures, maintaining her emotional composure and commitment to her singular ambition. 

The drama escalates as the lines between innocent pursuit and aggressive harassment blur, demanding that Jaanvi use both her wit and her physical training to protect her boundaries and achieve her ultimate prize.

Director Kala Alloori, making a directorial debut after graduating from film college, manages to maintain a taut, 2-hour-10-minute runtime, demonstrating technical competence and a clear vision. 

The direction is less about grand spectacle and more about internal strength and disciplined structure.

The execution shines brightest in the training and action sequences, which are choreographed with credibility and purpose. Where the film occasionally falters is in its dialogue, which sometimes struggles to fully capture the nuances of the campus environment. 

Jaanvekaa Subramaniam is a revelation. She carries the film with remarkable poise for a newcomer, convincingly portraying the discipline of a military child and the focused intensity of a competitive shooter. Her strength is in her measured restraint, conveying determination through action rather than dialogue.

The supporting newcomers, including Kiran Pradeep and Jai Bala, fill the roles of college suitors and friends competently, though their characters sometimes serve only as plot devices to advance Jaanvi’s conflict.

The veteran support cast, notably Aadukalam Naren (likely as Jaanvi’s father or a mentor) and the comedic duo of Manobala and Sendrayan, provide essential grounding. 

Shankar Selvaraj’s camerawork provides a polished visual aesthetic. The camera successfully captures the contrast between the vibrant college setting and the disciplined, isolated environment of Jaanvi’s shooting practice.

Rajesh (Music) and C.V. Hamara (Background Score) delivers a score that is both youthful and dramatic. Rest of the technical aspects of the movie gels well with the theme of the movie as well. 

Rating: 3.5/5 

By Naveen