Nayanam Web Series Review: A Smart Murder Mystery with Sci-Fi Twist

• Web Series: Nayanam
• Cast: Varun Sandesh, Priyanka Jain, Uttej, Ali Raza, Rekha Nirosha, Harish, and others
• Director: Swathi Prakash
• Streaming Platform: ZEE5
• Release Date: December 19

Varun Sandesh is widely known for his roles in romantic films. In recent years, however, he has been experimenting with varied genres to entertain audiences in new ways. As part of this shift, his latest web series, Nayanam, attempts a psychological thriller narrative. Does it succeed in delivering suspense and intrigue? Let us find out.

Dr. Nayan, played by Varun Sandesh, is an eye specialist. From a young age, he has been deeply curious about the private lives of others. Inspired by the saying that vision is the most powerful sense, he becomes an ophthalmologist and develops a unique scientific method. Using a special injection and customized spectacles, he is able to observe a patients activities for four minutes within a twelve-hour time span.

Through this experiment, Nayan witnesses a shocking incident involving Madhavi, portrayed by Priyanka Jain, one of his patients. He sees her killing her husband, Gauri Shankar, played by Uttej. This unexpected revelation leaves Nayan stunned. Why did Madhavi commit the murder? Did Nayan report what he saw to the police? Was the case successfully solved by the CI, played by Ali Raza? The answers unfold only by watching the series.

How Is the Series?

Young filmmakers today are impressing viewers by introducing fresh ideas, especially in the crime and mystery genre. Murder mysteries, in particular, continue to attract audiences. Nayanam fits into this trend but stands out due to its unusual scientific angle. Director Swathi Prakash adds an innovative backdrop to the familiar murder mystery format, making the narrative more engaging.

The opening episode focuses on establishing Nayan’s character, his mindset, and the world he inhabits. The storytelling also attempts to explore the backgrounds of other characters, which at times slows down the pace slightly. However, once the central crime is revealed, the series gains momentum.

The turning point occurs when Nayan watches Madhavi commit the murder through his special spectacles. From that moment onward, the story becomes gripping. The parallel tracks of the police investigation and Nayan’s personal quest to uncover the truth keep the tension alive. Threatening warnings from an unknown person advising him not to interfere add further suspense.

The final episode delivers a major twist, revealing that Madhavi killed Gauri Shankar without a clearly stated motive, setting the stage for a second season.

Performances and Technical Aspects

Varun Sandesh delivers a convincing performance as Dr. Nayan, effectively portraying a man driven by curiosity about others private lives. Priyanka Jain plays a crucial role that changes the direction of the story. Ali Raza appears as a routine police officer and fits the role well. The supporting cast performs adequately within their roles.

From a technical standpoint, the series is well made. Each episode has a short runtime, approximately half an hour, which keeps the pacing tight. The editing is crisp, and the overall presentation is engaging. Director Swathi Prakash successfully blends science fiction elements with a murder mystery, maintaining viewer interest throughout. The ending promises more excitement in the upcoming season.

Can You Watch It With Family?

The series contains no vulgar or inappropriate content. It is suitable for family viewing.

Strengths

• Unique story concept
• Direction and episode length
• Performances by the lead cast

Weaknesses

• Some portions feel slow due to character backstories