Cast: Navdeep, Bindu Madhavi, and others
Director: Sri Prawin Kumar
Producer: T.G. Vishwa Prasad
The web series “Newsense” has been creating buzz among film and television enthusiasts since its release on Aha Video. It is inspired by real-life events that occurred in the Madanapalle Press Club in Andhra Pradesh during the early 1990s. The trailer and teaser received positive feedback, let’s delve deeper into the show and see what it has to offer.
Story:
“Newsense” is set in the 1980s and centers around the workings of the press and journalists. The protagonist, Shiva (Navadeep), is a reporter associated with the Press Club in Madanapalle, Andhra Pradesh. The people of Madanapalle look to the media as their last hope for finding solutions to their problems, and they trust Shiva to help them. The story revolves around how Shiva overcomes challenges and how his college friend and TV anchor, Neela (Bindu Madhavi), gets involved in the narrative.
Artists Review:
Navadeep delivers an impressive performance as the lead, effectively portraying the necessary intensity through his eyes and body language. However, there are instances where he appears expressionless, and at other times, he seems to rely on a single expression. Bindu Madhavi’s performance as a TV reporter is adequate, and the rest of the cast members deliver solid performances in their respective roles.
Technical Review:
“Newsense” is written by journalist Priyadarshini Ram and Sri Pravin and aims to depict how the media functioned during the 1970s-90s. The initial narration is engaging, but the momentum struggles to be maintained as every character and episode is showcased in detail. The series consists of six episodes, but unfortunately, there are no exciting twists and turns to keep the audience hooked. The screenplay and direction also seem monotonous, leading to a lack of interest from viewers within the first few minutes.
The background music by Suresh Bobbili is appropriate and complements the story well, while Anant Nag Kavuri’s cinematography captures the village atmosphere realistically and beautifully. However, Srinivas Baiynaboyina’s editing leaves much to be desired. There are too many repetitive scenes, resulting in a slow pace that tests the patience of viewers. The dialogues penned by Jayasimha are natural and decent, and the production values by TG. Vishwa Prasad’s People Media Factory are satisfactory.
Advantages:
• The cinematography in “Newsense” delivers a realistic and rustic feel to the story.
• The camera work captures the village atmosphere beautifully, adding to the immersive experience of the audience.
• The shots are well-framed, bringing out the essence of the characters and their surroundings.
• The visual presentation of the story effectively sets the tone for the narrative, highlighting the essence of the era in which the events take place.
Disadvantages:
• “Newsense” lacks any real twists, making the story predictable and lacking in excitement.
• The slow pace of the narrative may result in viewers losing interest in the story.
• The use of routine elements in the screenplay and direction fails to elevate the story or bring any fresh perspective to the plot.
• The editing of the series could have been better, as there are too many repetitive scenes, leading to a slow pace that tests the patience of the audience.
Verdict:
In summary, “Newsense” can be classified as a routine political drama with a rural setting. Sri Pravin’s chosen premise initially generates curiosity, and the presence of Navadeep and Bindu Madhavi further increases interest. However, the filmmaker’s attempt to reveal the connection between politicians, media, and other influential parties falls short in creating enough impact. The uninspiring screenplay and direction fail to bring any freshness or exciting plot twists, leading to a tedious and unengaging narrative that may cause viewers to lose interest quickly.
