The Secret of Women is a Malayalam emotional thriller drama film written and directed by Prajesh Sen, which was released in theaters on January 31, 2025. Produced under the banner of Prajesh Sen Movie Club, the film stars Niranjana Anoop, Aju Varghese, Suma Devi, Srikanth Murali, Midhun Venugopal, and Aadish Damodaran. Prajesh Sen, who is known for hit films like Captain and Vellam, has once again made his mark with this film. The film, which has received acclaim at Indian film festivals, including the Dadasaheb Phalke Award, has been streaming on Sun NXT since March 2025. How did this mystery drama, which revolves around two women, offer a subtle critique of the patriarchal system, resonate with the Telugu audience? Let's see my feelings, highlights, and shortcomings in this review
What's in the story?
The Secret of Women is the story of two women from two different backgrounds, Jeena George (Niranjana Anoop) and Sheela (Suma Devi). Jeena is a psychology student living in an apartment, and Sheela is a woman living alone on a lake island. A stranger (Aju Varghese) enters their lives unexpectedly. Although this encounter seems normal at first, gradually their deep secrets and hidden truths from the past are revealed. A police investigation is underway on the suspicion of a murder, and each character is revealed to have a link to it. How do these women face the challenges of their lives and the pressures of patriarchy? What is their connection with the stranger? The story is written by Pradeep Kumar V.V. Written by Prajesh Sen, this emotional thriller has a gripping runtime of 1 hour and 38 minutes.
My Feelings: Subtle thriller, but slow burn!
When the movie starts, the mystery vibe shown in the trailer, and the dialogue of Niranjan Anoop’s character saying “I have no privacy in my life”, I felt like, “Wow, this is going to be a new thriller like everything is okay!”. Although the first 15 minutes felt a bit laggy, after the introduction of Jeena and Sheela’s backgrounds, I was drawn into the story. The movie moves in a subtle, slow burn style, giving thought-provoking commentary on the patriarchy and women’s resilience. Using Mona Lisa's smile as a metaphor, it was interesting to show how women manage the pressures of their lives.
The tension increased with mystery elements and a murder investigation in the second half, and the plot twist in the climax gave a decent shock. As one user wrote on X, I agree with the sentiment, "Slow start, but enjoy the story fully once you enter it!" However, the development of some characters (Aju Varghese's stranger role) seemed a bit vague and underwritten. Telugu audiences who like Malayalam thrillers like Amala and Anveshippin Kandethum are likely to like this film, but those expecting a high-intensity thriller like Drishyam may find it a bit slow.
Technical aspects, acting
Technically, The Secret of Women is impressive. Lebison Gopi's cinematography, rural lake island, and urban apartment settings are atmospheric. Anil Krishna (music) and Joshua VJ (background score) together give the film an emotional and thrilling tone. The two songs sung by Shahbaz Aman and Janaki Eshwar (lyrics by Nitish Naderi) are in keeping with the mood of the film. Kannan Mohan's editing is smooth and subtle, but it would have been better if it was a little crisper in some scenes. Thyagu Thavanur's art direction, Libin Mohanan's makeup, and Afrien Kallan's costumes give a realistic vibe.
In acting, Niranjana Anoop (Jeena) is the backbone of the film. She showed subtle expressions and emotional depth in her role as a psychology student. Suma Devi (Sheela) played her introverted character naturally, especially in the climax scenes, her expressions gave goosebumps. Aju Varghese did a decent job in the role of a stranger, but his character's backstory was a bit unclear. Srikanth Murali, Midhun Venugopal, Aadish Damodaran did well in supporting roles, but some of the performances felt uneven.
Likes, Dislikes
Likes:
Mystery & Themes: Subtle thriller narrative, commentary on patriarchy, thought-provoking portrayal of women's resilience.
Performances: Niranjana Anoop, Suma Devi's performance is the highlight of the film, emotional impact in the climax.
Technical Quality: Cinematography, background score, art direction give an atmospheric vibe.
Short Runtime: Crisp storytelling in 1 hour 38 minutes is a plus.
Plot Twist: The climax twist gives an unexpected surprise.
Dislikes:
Slow Start: The first 15 minutes feel laggy, it takes time to get into the story.
Underdeveloped Characters: Aju Varghese's stranger role, some supporting characters lack backstory.
Uneven Performances: Some supporting actors' acting is not up to par.
Limited Thrill: Those expecting a high-intensity thriller like Anveshippin Kandethum may not like the subtle approach.
Who should watch it?
The Secret of Women is a film that will suit those who like Malayalam thrillers like Amala, CBI 5, Anveshippin Kandethum, and films with social themes. Fans of Niranjana Anoop, Aju Varghese, and lovers of content-driven directors like Prajesh Sen will like this movie. A decent watch for audiences who want women's challenges, emotional depth, and mystery elements. With a UA rating, there is some emotional intensity and mild thriller elements, so it can be watched by families and teens (with parental guidance). Telugu, Malayalam, Hindi dubbing and subtitles are available on Sun NXT. Telugu audiences who expect mass action or fast-paced thrillers like Pushpa 2 and Matka may not like this slow-burn drama.
Rating: 3.5/5
The Secret of Women impresses with its subtle thriller narrative, powerful performances by Niranjana Anoop and Suma Devi, and thought-provoking commentary on the patriarchy. Prajesh Sen's direction, atmospheric cinematography, and decent plot twist are the strengths of the film. But, the slow start, some underdeveloped characters, uneven performances reduce the impact a bit. A good watch for those who like Malayalam thrillers, emotional dramas, try it in theaters or Sun NXT!
Release Date: January 31, 2025 (Theaters), March 2025 (Sun NXT)
Streaming: Sun NXT
Director: G. Prajesh Sen
Writers: Prajesh Sen (Screenplay), Pradeep Kumar V.V. (Story)
Cast: Niranjana Anoop, Suma Devi, Aju Varghese, Srikanth Murali, Midhun Venugopal
Rating: UA (Emotional Intensity, Mild Thriller Elements)