The Kannada entertainment world doesn’t have many web series on OTT platforms, and Ayyana Mane is trying to change that. Directed by popular TV name Ramesh Indira and produced by his wife Shruti Naidu, the series had a lot of promise. Released on Zee5 on April 25, this six-episode series tells a story filled with deaths, superstitions, and family secrets. But sadly, poor writing holds it back.
The Story of Ayyana Mane
Ayyana Mane follows Jaaji (played by Kushee Ravi), a young woman who marries Dushyanth (Akshay Nayak) and moves into his family’s traditional home, called Ayyana Mane. Right after Jaaji steps into the house, her father-in-law suddenly dies, making her believe she is bad luck for the family.
Her husband, along with her mother-in-law Nagamma (Manasi Sudhir) and brothers-in-law, reassure her, but strange things continue to happen around her. Jaaji notices that not only is the house full of creepy incidents, but the family members themselves act suspiciously.
She soon learns that the previous daughters-in-law of the family also died mysteriously. On top of that, there are strange rituals that are of great importance to the family’s deity. Jaaji begins to fear that she might be the next victim. While her husband asks her not to worry, her strict mother-in-law pressures her to stay silent.
Who is behind all the deaths? Is Jaaji’s life truly in danger? The series tries to answer these questions through a suspenseful setup.
Where Ayyana Mane Falls Short
Even though Ayyana Mane is marketed as a mystery thriller, it ends up feeling more like a traditional TV soap opera. This is mainly because director Ramesh Indira’s background is in television serials, and that influences the shows here. The pace is slow, the suspense doesn’t feel very strong, and the creepy atmosphere needed for a thriller is missing.
The series throws in several red herrings (false clues) to confuse viewers about who the killer might be, but they don’t feel believable or shocking. Even the reason behind the murders isn’t convincing enough to leave a big impact.
The show touches on interesting topics like rural superstitions, worship of family gods, and old rituals. However, these ideas are only explored on the surface and not in depth. As a result, the storytelling feels patchy and the show becomes boring halfway through.
Ayyana Mane: Performances and Technical Aspects
Kushee Ravi does a good job as Jaaji, portraying her fear, innocence, and courage naturally. Since the show’s style is similar to daily soaps, the role fits her easily. Manasi Sudhir also delivers a strong performance as the dominating mother-in-law. The other cast members are decent but not very memorable.
On the technical side, the cinematography by Rahul Roy is a highlight, capturing the traditional house and eerie moments nicely. Costume designer Shilpa Hegde deserves praise, especially for the beautiful sarees worn by the female characters. The background music by LV Muthu Ganesh adds some much-needed emotion and tension to certain scenes.
Overall, Ayyana Mane had an exciting concept, but the weak writing, slow pace, and TV serial-like style stopped it from becoming a gripping mystery thriller. While there are a few good performances and some technical strengths, the series doesn’t leave a lasting impression.
