Menaka (1935): A Glimpse, Not a Grand Epic 🕰️

If you're into really old movies, like *really* old, then maybe, just maybe, Menaka (1935) is worth a look. It's certainly not for everyone, not even close. Modern audiences will likely find it slow, maybe even a bit silly, and probably bail out pretty quick. But for film historians, or folk who just love seeing how cinema *was*, it offers a fascinating, if sometimes trying, window into early Indian talkies. You have to meet this film on its own terms, not yours.

The pace, oh man, the pace. It’s like watching paint dry in slow motion, but somehow still moving. Every gesture feels like a deliberate pose, not a natural reaction. It different kind of acting, for sure.

You can almost feel the movie trying to *convince* you this moment matters. The camera just sits there, watching. Long shots. So many long shots.

The core story is simple enough: two lovers, separated by some “evil designs.” It's classic melodrama. ✨ N.S. Krishnan and T.K. Shanmugham play the roles, and while their passion is clear, it's often expressed through very *loud* acting. Like, you can practically hear the director yelling "Bigger!" from off-camera.

M.S. Vijayal, as Menaka, she does her best with the material. There are moments, small glimpses, where her distress feels real. But then a scene goes on about 20 seconds too long, and the silence starts to feel awkward rather than emotional. You know?

The “evil designs” part? It's pretty vague, honestly. Some jealous folks, some misunderstandings. It felt less like a cunning plot and more like a series of unfortunate coincidences that *everyone* just accepts. Nobody tries to talk things out, which is classic old film stuff. 🤷‍♀️

The sound quality is... interesting. Sometimes the dialogue is crisp, other times it’s muffled, like they were shouting into a tin can. It’s a testament to how far technology has come.

I noticed one scene where a prop teacup just *wobbled* on the table for a good few seconds. Nobody seemed to notice or care. It’s those little things that pull you out of the story, but also make it feel so human, you know? Imperfect.

The sets are simple, mostly painted backdrops. But they have a certain charm. Like a stage play brought to the screen, which, for 1935, was probably still quite novel. The crowd scenes have this oddly empty feeling, like half the extras wandered off. Or maybe they just didn’t have many extra.

There's this one reaction shot, from someone in the background, that lingers so long it becomes funny. Like, *really* funny. I think they forgot to cut. 😂

It’s clear they were still figuring things out. The camera work is often static, almost like a security camera. But then there's a surprising pan or tilt that makes you go, "Oh, they *could* do that!"

Watching Menaka, you're not getting a masterpiece. You're getting a snapshot. A very early snapshot of a burgeoning film industry finding its feet. It's a curiosity, an artifact.

You can't really judge it by today's standards. It's a bit like looking at a really old photograph. The colors are faded, the focus is soft, but it tells a story about a time that's long gone.

The music, when it appears, quite pleasant, adding a nice touch to the otherwise stark visuals.

It’s an experience, for sure. A bit of a grind sometimes. But a valuable one for those who want to see where it all began. Don't go in expecting a thrill ride, okay? Expect a history lesson, with some very earnest acting.