Aneesh Anwar, known for his directorial ventures like Zachariyayude Garbhinikal and Kumbasaram, returns after a couple of setbacks with Raastha, a desert survival drama. Unfolding entirely in the Middle East, the film kicks off by introducing its primary characters and their intricate dynamics. Shahana (Anagha Narayanan), a young girl from Kerala, lands in Oman in search of her long-lost mother. A group of benevolent Malayali expatriates aids her quest for family reunification, including Faizal (Sarjano Khalid), Mujeeb (Aneesh Anwar himself), Salim (Sudheesh), Sadikka (Irshad), and Divya (Aradhya Ann). The film's script, crafted by two Oman-based Keralites, Shahul and Fayiz Madakkara, authentically captures the amiable Malayali community and their camaraderie.
Cast: Anagha Narayanan, Sarjano Khalid, Aneesh Anwar, Aradhya Ann, Sudheesh Director: Aneesh Anwar
Raastha follows a straightforward narrative with a conventional first half dedicated to establishing characters and their quest to locate Shahana's mother, Fathima. The narrative pivots at the halfway mark when the story plunges into the heart of conflict—the desert. Faizal, Shahana, Mujeeb, and Khalid, an Omani national, find themselves ensnared in the Rub' al Khali deserts while en route to meet a woman suspected to be Shahana's mother. At the interval, the screen declares Rub' al Khali as one of the world's most perilous deserts. However, the real challenge lies in visually conveying why it is a deadly expanse. To be fair, Aneesh Anwar and his team effectively depict the horrors of being trapped in such a desolate setting. The tension builds gradually, utilizing expansive frames that capture nothing but endless stretches of sand dunes and foreboding music.
Unlike typical survival films where characters resort to extreme measures to stay alive, Raastha focuses solely on the diminishing energy of the characters and the imminent dangers they face—ranging from fierce sandstorms to poisonous reptiles. The primary goal of such films is to make the audience uneasy, and the combined efforts of cinematographer Vishnu Narayanan and composer Avin Mohan Sithara effectively achieve this. After a point, you're bound to feel the scorching heat and insatiable thirst.
While Aneesh Anwar, the filmmaker, checks several boxes, he stumbles at crucial points, particularly with the casting choices. Perhaps, the most significant flaw is casting himself as Mujeeb. The character is meant to provide comic relief, but Aneesh's portrayal falls flat. Despite constant attempts at eliciting laughter, most situations feel stale and recycled. On a positive note, Anagha and Sarjano deliver commendable performances, carrying the film forward. Anagha has been showcasing her potential since her debut in Thinkalazhcha Nishchayam, while Sarjano has notably improved. As the composed Faizal, he delivers a mature performance. The only irksome aspect is his romantic angle with Divya, portrayed by the amateurish Aradhya Ann.
Typically, at the conclusion of a survival film, viewers experience either dejection or relief. In Raastha, the filmmakers opt for a bitter ending, yet the heartbreak doesn't resonate as intensely as intended because the emotional connection dissipates midway—much like the characters.