Suraj Venjaramoodu steers the ship with occasional chuckles.

In the late 70s, Nagendran’s Honeymoons kick off with Nagendran (played by Suraj Venjaramoodu) and Soman (played by Prashanth Alexander) fleeing from a tough situation. Nagendran, frustrated, decides he’s had enough of the charade, but Soman insists on one last go.

Fast forward to a few months back, we dive into how it all started. Nagendran, a lazy 30-something from Vellayani, a serene village near Thiruvananthapuram, is more of a burden than a help, even to his mother who struggles to feed him daily.

We meet his good friend, Soman, a small-time actor who also arranges marriages to make a living. Like many dreamers of that time in Kerala, inspired by those who found success abroad, especially in the Persian Gulf, Nagendran sees this as his chance for a better life.

Soman pushes Nagendran to marry his uncle’s innocent daughter, Janaki (played by Alphy Panjikaran), aiming to use the dowry money to fund his own dreams of going abroad. But things take an unexpected turn, leading Soman to concoct a plan where Nagendran marries multiple women under false pretenses. Suraj’s portrayal of the vulnerability and awkwardness of this indifferent man-child adds a captivating charm to the story. Even though we don’t fully understand Nagendran’s background, except for a mention of his absent father, the actor skillfully conveys the emptiness of his passive existence.

After sharing Laila’s troubled past, Shwetha’s expression shifts, hinting at her hopes for a peaceful future. The episode features a well-executed action scene by the actor, showcasing her skills.

As the protagonist faces the repercussions of his actions, subsequent episodes lack humor. The pacing suffers from repetitive scenes involving Niranjana Anoop and Kani Kusruti. While Niranjana’s performance is decent, the storyline of her character, a young woman with a premarital pregnancy, lacks depth. The portrayal of Kani as a stereotypical prostitute falls short. Prashanth’s omnipresent character is well-utilized, portraying a friend you’d rather avoid.

Technically, Nagendran’s Honeymoons shines with visually captivating scenes capturing Kerala’s diverse landscapes. The production design effectively recreates the era of Malayalam cinema dominated by actor Jayan. Ranjin Raj’s background score, reminiscent of the 80s composer Johnson, complements the narrative’s mood.

Despite flaws in writing and pacing in later episodes, Nithin’s debut web series remains engaging, thanks to Suraj’s outstanding performance, the ensemble cast, and its visual appeal.

Series: Nagendran’s Honeymoons

Director: Nithin