anantham web series|anandham web series zee5|anantham series 2022:Zee5 bringing an original Tamil web series titled Anantham. The film stars Prakash Raj in the main lead role as Ananth, directed by Priya V.It will be an 8 episodes web series, that tells the story of a home Anantham that sheltered many families and explores the connection & emotions of the family members with their family home.Priya V along with the direction also co-wrote the screenplay with Raghav Mirtad, Preetha Jayaraman & Reema Ravichandran.Prakash Raj starrer series is all set to be premiered on the streaming platform Zee5 on 22 April.
Anantham is the brainchild of Priya V, who directed the Tamil web series using flashbacks and flashforwards, but keeps us riveted throughout. The series has eight episodes, each with a runtime of approximately an hour. The series brings together a varied cast of characters, many of whom are unique and refreshing.
Anantham Web Series
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The story of Anantham celebrates acceptance, friendship and love. It’s a reminder that this world would be a much better place if we could accept each other for who we are. The characters are so well written that you grow attached to them within minutes. You cheer on their victories and cry with their losses.
Told in eight parts, Anantham begins with an introduction to the house, which has witnessed some of the most beautiful and tragic stories in recent times. Priya V has been able to handle heavy topics without going overboard on sentimentality. It’s also commendable that she’s been able to do this without any male gaze or objectification of women.
Each story has its ups and downs, twists and turns. Some are more interesting and engaging than others. They are all worth watching at least once – especially if you enjoy watching different kinds of stories unfold on screen.
Anandham Web Series Review
It’s a common phrase, often used to speak of unknown stories. In Priya V’s series Anantham, they do. Well, not literally, but in spirit. Anantham is about the eponymously named house, and the various people and their families who have inhabited it over five decades. It’s a bouquet of stories — a mosaic of emotions. There’s a bit of everything — grief, loss, love, romance, fear, discovery, anger, etc. For some, the house heaps fortunes. And for others, disasters. Its inhabitants are mostly people who society raises their eyebrows at — blind people, unemployed debtors, three single women living together, a gay couple… But the cornerstone of Anantham is acceptance.
For the most part, we live in denial — of our desires, and misgivings. How do we accept our trauma or failure? The film beautifully brings out the biggest paradox of them all — For a lot of us, it is easier to accept strangers who break free of regressive social rules. But we struggle to embrace the same when it happens in our family, with our loved ones.
One of Anantham’s best and most heartwarming moments is when Venkatesan (Prakash Raj) admits that he had failed as a father. “I was so progressive for the world. I supported so many people without reservations. But when you didn’t follow the plan I had for you, you became my enemy,’ says Venkatesan to his son Ananth. It’s a rare insight into the human psyche, an acknowledgement of the founding stone of conservatism. Anantham has several such moments. But it’s a series that’s best watched with an open mind.
With all its hits, it also has its share of misses. Anantham tends to get too melodramatic at times, especially with its ‘house with a life’ concept. The writing is too on-the-nose at several points — Anantham would have definitely benefited from lesser exposition. There are also some leaps of faith the narrative pushes you to take. However, these are punctuated with smaller surprises. It further helps that the series clearly steers away from stereotypical portrayals. Even the more sinister characters are written with nuance — they are grey, not black.
anandham web series zee5
Priya V uses this part hyperlink-part anthology narrative to touch on some heavy themes — domestic violence, mental health, homosexuality, etc. But Anantham stands tall on the shoulders of some terrific performances. It’s the series’ biggest strength. Amrutha Srinivasan is splendid as the articulate, intelligent blind woman Seetha. And then there’s Vinoth Kishen and Vivek Rajagopal who melt your heart with their vulnerability. I also loved Vinothini’s trademark nonchalant humour. And then there’s the ever-dependable Prakashraj and Sampath. It’s really tough to pick a favourite. The series also probably has most sensitive representation of a queer relationship in mainstream Tamil cinema. How refreshing it is to see two men with bulging biceps be so vulnerable, and treat each other with such tenderness!
Anantham is not perfect. Its murals are often cut into by snakey cracks. It ends on a cliffhanger that feels forced. But even in the weaker portions, the film is thoughtful, inclusive, and shows a lot of heart. For that, my love for Anantham is infinite.
