Watch Andhra Mess

Andhra Mess is a 2018 Tamil-language black comedy film directed by Jai and starring a relatively unknown cast of Raj Bharath, Pooja Devariya, and Kasthuri. The film revolves around two strangers who stumble upon each other in a mess in Andhra Pradesh, leading to a series of events that unravel a web of deception, lies, and murder. The film opens with Narsing (Raj Bharath), a former henchman who has turned a new leaf and is trying to start a new life with his girlfriend, Prakash (Pooja Devariya). However, things take a turn for the worse when they are robbed of their money and ID cards, leaving them stranded in Andhra Pradesh. Hungry and desperate, they stumble upon a dingy mess run by a cantankerous old lady named Bhai (Kasthuri), who takes them in as her workers.

As Narsing and Prakash settle into their new lives, they discover that the mess is not what it seems. There's a constant conflict between Bhai and the neighboring mess, run by a rival gang. The mess is also frequented by some shady characters, including a drug addict, a hitman, and a police officer on the lookout for a criminal on the loose.

As the plot thickens, Narsing and Prakash get caught up in the mess's dangerous underbelly, and things take a turn for the worse when a murder takes place. The story then unfurls in a non-linear fashion, with the past and present intercutting to reveal how each character is connected to the crime.

The film's strength lies in its unique narrative structure and well-etched characters. Jai's direction is unconventional, with the entire film shot in a dingy mess with minimal lighting, creating a claustrophobic atmosphere that adds to the film's noirish tone. The film's black comedy elements also work well, with the humor coming from the characters' absurd situations rather than forced gags.

The performances are top-notch, particularly that of Raj Bharath, who plays Narsing with an understated intensity that's both convincing and relatable. Pooja Devariya, as his girlfriend Prakash, is equally good, bringing a vulnerability and strength to her character. Kasthuri, as the foul-mouthed Bhai, steals every scene with her sharp-tongued wit and grumpy demeanor.

The film's music, composed by Prashant Pillai, also adds to its mood, with its brooding score and eclectic mix of folk and electronic sounds. The film's cinematography by Mukesh G captures the mess's grungy ambiance with a grimy, handheld aesthetic that's immersive and effective.

Andhra Mess is not a film for everyone, as its dark and gritty tone may put off some viewers. However, for those willing to embrace its unconventional storytelling and offbeat humor, it's a refreshing change from the formulaic mainstream fare. It's a unique genre-bending film that defies categorization, and is definitely worth a watch.

Andhra Mess is a 2018 thriller with a runtime of 1 hour and 37 minutes. It has received mostly poor reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 3.2.