User reviews

Come on, everyone knows this is what Malayalam cinema does best; a minimalistic effort, mostly set in the same lush locations that supplements the simplicity of the storyline and characters. In recent times, Malayalam cinema has taken advantage of the OTT space and churned out so many films and few have been a clear reflection of the political, economic, social and cultural crisis. Here we have another film, a slow burn drama chronicling the events that follows after the murder of Gauri Shankar (Vijay Sethupathi), a writer and human rights activist. The name rings a bell, right? If you have no clue, look up Gauri Lankesh online!

But trust me, there is so much to say which is both the positive and negative of this film. There are directors who entertain or exacerbate or educate (maybe all the e's in equal parts) when handling a controversial theme. Take for example "Gargi" which deals with a sensitive theme, constantly challenging the audience with good writing.

Well, 19 (1) (a) doesn't hold up or belong to none or any of the aforementioned categories. There is more to this as the film rubs shoulders with subplots, existential themes, political contexts and this mixture tries to alternate with flashback, visual motifs, with very little backstory for each character, including Nithya Menon and her dad, their relationship and the past. Amongst all, I really liked the sequence of Gauri and his friend, who are two opposites and don't agree on the definition of writing. Gauri is a writer who found his passion during his childhood while he sat down under the tree and scribbled his thoughts, like the artsy ones you see in a writer-esque mood with glasses, books in a sophisticated coffee shop.

Coming to the performances, Vijay Sethupathi is here in his usual naturalistic forte that never hits a false note. Nithya Menon role is a layered one as she slips inside a state of fear. In the middle of the silences, pauses and worried moments, she somehow manages to switch between emotions accompanied by different tones.

Although I liked the movie in parts, I see many problems here. The film doesn't quite flow and in several scenes, including the songs, there was no need for it. The idea sounds great, but unfortunately, it doesn't add anything. This might have benefited from better writing and Direction. I really wish the director would have taken an Ivan Ayr or Sajin Baabu approach in the writing process. I wished for an experimental approach like the works of Prathap Joseph, Ekta Mittal, Payal Kapadia and Udita Bhargava, it might have been a satisfying watch.

Regardless, it is an average watch and for the masses, this will be a total sluggish and a boring film. I liked how the director manages to connect the bike sound bgm in the initial title drop of the film and the same is used in the end. It literally grabs you,when you guess the outcome by just hearing the sound of the bike.

This movie is such a drag... Don't waste your time watching this , it has nothing that will hold your attention. I had to watch this at 2x speed,it was that slow.

Ing Nithya Menen , Vijay Sethupathi in lead role. Also starring Indrajith Sukumaran, Indrans, Srikant Murali.

Written & directed by Indhu VS Streaming on Disney + Hot star from 29th July 2022

Good decision to release on streaming platform or else in box office it would be a biggest disaster.

The title of the movie represents to right to freedom of speech and expression & that's what the movie is all about but 1hr 47 min is pity too long as the story travels through extreme lagness.

The story begins with the life of Nithya Menen the central character who runs a Xerox shop for livelihood. One fine day a customer comes to her shop, hand over a note and promises that he will return to collect it but not. After few days, it came to know that the customer who came to her shop was shot murdered and its none other than a renowned writer "Gauri Shankar" played by Vijay Sethupathi.

Post this incident, how Nithya Menen, finds a way to publish the note which is in her hands which have a relevant social message forms the rest part of the story.

Although the movie throws light on the topic of freedom of expression, politics of colour, the politics of discrimination but the screenplay designed in such a way that it just test the patience of the audience as notion comes " 1 hr 47 min is too long ".

Vijay Sethupathi & Nithya Menen subtle performances. Something more expected from Vijay but that didn't spark well.

Indrajith Sukumaran presence was immaterial as the story shows the connection with Vijay sethupathi but was it that required, a question aroused to me.

Overall, a movie to watch making it pause multiple times.

A very boring typical communist storyline. Something that can be finished in 30 mins stretched to 2 hours.

The pace is too slow and there is nothing much to expect in the end. Typical made up story of foe.

I watched on Hotstar the Malayalam film (w/Eng. Subs) : 19(1)(a)

For quick reference: Art 19 The Constitution Of India 1949 19. Protection of certain rights regarding freedom of speech etc (1) All citizens shall have the right (a) to freedom of speech and expression; ....

However other than brief sundry mentions of "communal forces" trying to curb the "freedom of expression" of Indian citizens, the film does not convincingly convey any great message in this regard.

The film meanders too much into art frames and great cinematography coupled with two beautiful songs but the narration does not do very much else vis a vis the above cited Art.19(1)(a).

In brief, an ordinary young lady (Nithya Menen) whose father has lost interest in everything, takes over the running of his photocopy shop. An unknown customer (Vijay Setupathy) turns up one evening leaving a sheaf of handwritten notes to be copied. He says he will definitely pick them up later. She asks if she should bind them and he tells her to do whatever she feels is necessary. The customer fails to turn up late into the night and Nithya goes home. Breaking news reports a killing in Nithya's locality of a Tamilian author Gowrishankar who has been targetted previously by communal forces. Nithya recognises the man as her customer. Now come endless frames of Nithya in a trancelike state, almost meditating on the series of events. She starts getting dreams about Gowri getting shot. She looks for his published books and tries to meet his publisher (Indrajith) which she manages to eventually. A side plot narrates how Nithya's best friend Fathima (Athulya) who works in the next door shop, reluctantly agrees to get married as per her parents choice. Nithya attends Fathi's mehndi and bethrothal ceremonies (the two beautiful songs are in these segments). Nithya becomes obsessed with getting Gowri's last work - the handwritten sheaf of papers - to his publisher. She befriends a TV reporter Jenny (Arya Salim) who takes her along to meet Gowri's sister Saroja (Sreelakshmi). Several meaningless stretched "arty" frames later, Nithya hands over the last work of author Gowri to Indrajith.

Watch if this holds your interest to find out how the narration goes on and on and on to convey nothing very much other than beautiful cinematography. Not even any particularly defining message is conveyed about the serious attacks on Freedom of Speech & Expression that one sees in India these days.

Not to deprecate the actors, all of them who essay their respective characters convincingly. But what can you do when the plot stretches endlessly to convey nothing very much that could not have been achieved in half the time.

What a time waste movie Dragging, boring and honestly was shocked and happy at the abrupt ending of this hopeless movie. Many reviews are in full appreciation of this time waste movie. Right from the beginning till the end pace of the movie is too slow.

The movie has a very relevant socio-political references , though it fails to develop from anything more than a mere reference. VJS and Nithya Menen have done their best , but the roles are nothing challenging for them. Nithya dubbing sounds terrible.

The political reference had so much opportunities to create an impact . How ever the story is stuck around nithyas uneventful life getting tangled with something very important. It's not just her life, the whole movie is quite uneventful thru out.

When the police team ,especially when Indrans , stepped in I had high hopes that the movie would now lead to something more. But it then goes back to same path. Why did they even have Indrans name in poster and his role ?

Super slow movie, only 1.45hrs but it felt like taking ages to finish. I wouldn't recommend watching even for the good cast.

The movie touches on various issues faced by the society. It shows a municipality where most of the trees are cut down for development. The movie touch upon how the society cuts you off for your thoughts. The right to speech and freedom is just in books while it's not a practical one in the society.

Big fan of Vijay sethupathi movies in this movie the director didn't give him importance this movie had that potential only Nithya menen dominated but her dominance couldn't up to the mark.

By seeing title, if you think this movie speaks more about freedom of speech and it is a revolutionary movie, it is not.

Movie is about emotional let down of person due to unexpected meeting of rare person. Watch movie only for Nithya Menon's performance.

Cinematography is excellent. Vijay Sethpathi was not used properly. Music is good.

You will get more unanswered questions after watching this movie but nothing is answered.

The casting was great for the most of the major roles. Love to see Nithya Menen back. Missed her movies in Malayalam. Good directing and lot more to see in future. Story line is very thin with a small concept that could have done as 30 min documentary/art film. There is a 15% story in the movie and the rest 85% is to be figured out by the viewers by their own which is the similar concept which we have seen in other movie in the similar category. There was more room for the characters to build, especially for the Nithya Menen character. Felt that this movie had a flat line pace till up the end.

Very impressive! Tried hard to reach to critics as audience! Mindsparkling. Very nice stunt. Vijay sethupathi was marvellous! Super Actor Super Sethupathi Super Story!

First one hour, I watched only walking and eating in slow motion , why to take such movies to waste people's time. Writing this review to save someone precious time who wants to relax from stressful life or who is looking for some movie entertainment. In the name of making movie, people disrespect others time and money. Thank god that this movie released in ott. Skip the movie and save time.

It is a 20 minute short film stretched for 1 hour 50 minute movie. Very slow pace movie lacking proper direction or solid script. Better avoid it.

Vijay Sethupathi, Nitya Menen and Indrajith did a good job as their characters but the direction is missing its focus.

First one hour, I watched only walking and eating in slow motion , why to take such movies to waste people's time. Writing this review to save someone precious time who wants to relax from stressful life or who is looking for some movie entertainment. In the name of making movie, people disrespect others time and money. Thank god that this movie released in ott. Skip the movie and save time.

First one hour, I watched only walking and eating in slow motion , why to take such movies to waste people's time. Writing this review to save someone precious time who wants to relax from stressful life or who is looking for some movie entertainment. In the name of making movie, people disrespect others time and money. Thank god that this movie released in ott. Skip the movie and save time.

19(1)(a) is Vijay Sethupathi's proper Malayalam debut(though he had a cameo in marconi mathai as himself). There were some decent expectations on how this film would be despite having a direct OTT release. But the movie was absolutely a drag.

Vijay sethupathi plays gaurishankar, half tamil half malayalee writer and freethinker. He is assassinated before publishing his next book. It is given to nitya menon who runs a photostat shop. How nitya gets fascinated towards gauri and his writings is the rest of the movie.

Barring nitya menon and her friend character, none of the other characters are well developed. Vijay sethupathi was like an extended cameo. His character could have been well explored but looked like the makers ran out of his dates.

Absolutely flat narration, good they released it directly on ott.

Director trying to be lady Adoor Gopalakrishnan or TV Chandran. There is nothing much than a documentary. Director wants to show some brilliance but failed everywhere. Very sorry to say more to go...

Star cast wasted on a wannabe movie which goes nowhere and lacks substance. Mood, music and ambience works along with content and not independently. Govind's music deserves special mention as he tries to lift lackluster scenes.

19 1 a - Another Malayalam movie to end the Friday over an OTT . Rather VJS it was Nithya Menon who was present all over the movie . Well toned up physic gets back NM's look back to cute old times . She is definitely one beautiful heroines in recent days . VJS appears for a short time and we just have only Nithya Menon to be spoken about . The location and the weather during which the movie was shot was very interesting . A calm and pleasant village it was . Beyond this I really did not understand the message the director had tried to convey through this movie . The movie runs at a very slow pace with some repeated scenes and locations seeding more thoughts in our mind about where actually the story is leading to . Only to realise it ended pretty abruptly . Article 19(1)(a) is actually about freedom of speech and expression and I hereby express that this movie is not worth to be suggested for . Overall , "19 1 a" time to Stay Order (stay away) .

This film should be made as mandatory watch for murderers and militant by law. It's very boring, slow paced, and unrealistic movie. Not sure why this movie exists at first place, doesn't add any value in any departments of cinema.

19(1)(a) had all the right components in terms of script, actors, and production, but we didn't get why things went wrong...

DELICIOUS

-We have to give it up to the colorist and cinematography teams for adding vigor to the movie with great accents on the environment and people

-It was relaxing to see a slow-paced screenplay; we noticed A LOT of walking by the main characters, a subtle atmosphere, and nice greenery all around

-Of course, we can never be disappointed when Vijay Sethupathi is in the building! He understood his role and perfectly transformed into this carefree, simple, and goal-oriented guy

-Nythia Menen, being a nameless character in the story, quietly emphasized her monotonous and insignificant life.

It was great to see how Gauri became the little ray of light that slowly boosted her confidence

BLAND

-As 19(1)(a) refers to the freedom of press/speech law, we were eagerly waiting to be challenged intellectually or motivated to rise up and speak out.

We were sincerely rooting for the story to take us on a journey with striking dialogues; unfortunately, we didn't get much.

Many segments were left incomplete and the film became more like a plane circulating on the runway without ever taking off

-During the entire movie, we didn't experience or listen to Gauri's writings even though he was described to pen piercing books. It was only few minutes to the end that we heard few lines of his work, but by that time it was too late

-The extensive amount of background music, regretfully, drowned the momentum

-Many popular actors like Indrans and Indrajith were not properly utilized.

Moreover, we kept on hearing that Gauri had enemies but never got to encounter them or know their opposing thoughts...

It shows the true meaning of rebellion, life and everything in between.

It is never preachy, never over the top and it completely grounded and realistic.

The charm of the movie is the acting and screen presence of Nithya Menon and Vijay Sethupathi.

This is not a mass movie, not a thriller or even a hard hitting social drama - but a charming commentary which is a slice of raw life and give a true grounded definition of rebelling.

All actors acted well. A film that gives you the normal life style of a village...no dramatic acting or unwanted scenes..over all a fabulous movie that conveys the message..

I am stumped by the low ratings for this movie by other reviewers. They are right - it is slow, it's a simple plot, it could have been wrapped up in 30 mins... So what? Not everything has to be fast paced and in your face. Can we not reminisce like Nithya Menen's character in the movie? Can we not let these ideas flow through us without a for or against mindset? Or have we become so polarized that this is impossible. It was possible for me and that is how I watched it.

If you like reading classical literature or poetry or appreciate any art for that matter, you will find something to like in this movie.