Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javaabdaararu Movie Review : Performances steal the show in this new-age film

With three releases this week, the year 2025 has started with a bang for the Kannada film industry. The title Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javaabdaararu (meaning you are responsible for your own belongings) is a common announcement that is often seen in public places such as bus, train and metro stations, and parking areas, among others. Director Keshav Moorthy brings together three unconnected, unconventional stories that explore human nature to develop deep attachment to material possessions.
In the first story, we are introduced to Inaayat (Prasanna V Shetty), a water filter salesman and a bike thief, who suffers from OCD. When his own lucky bike gets stolen, his life turns upside down. The second story is about the kleptomaniacs Rohit (Madhusudhan Govind), and Rathna (Apoorva Bharadhawaj), and how love blossoms between the two, whose common interest is harmless theft. The thrill-seekers’ fun-filled adventure makes for a fun watch. In the third story, we are introduced to Peter (Dileep Raj), a close relative of a politician, who is involved in honey-trapping wealthy men. With Jennifer’s (Shilpa Manjunath) help, they meticulously lay a trap on a man who is suspected to have a lot of black money.
Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javaabdaararu is a new-age film that takes the audience on a thrill ride with each story. Though the first story feels a bit slow because of the repetitive establishment of characters, the other two make up for it. The fun stories of the first half take a serious tone in the second half, which delivers a thriller experience. Obscure characters with specific mental disorders are a common thread in this film, which has three different stories that are not tied to each other. Keshav Moorthy’s debut film gets full marks for its honest attempt to narrate interesting stories. For the Kannada audience, the concept is brand new, and needs to be approached with an open mind.
The actors, with their natural performances, steal the show from the beginning. Prasanna V Shetty as an anxious, ‘innocent thief’ warms your heart. Madhusudhan’s intro scene has a certain charm to itself. He shows promise to emerge as one of the brightest performers of KFI. Apoorva oozes charm as this girl-next-door, who will break your neck, if needed. The couple’s chemistry is palpable and keeps the audience hooked to the screen. The clear show-stealer here is undoubtedly Dileep Raj, who brings in his years of experience to portray the role of a serious businessman with a shady front business. Shilpa, with two distinct looks and an honest performance, plays a perfect fiddle in the game. Their steaming chemistry is another highlight. Vamshi Krishna as Sandy stays in the limelight despite having a small role.
Every character is introduced with a song, composed by Prasad K Shetty, that goes with the flow of the film. This feels like a bit of a stretch and could have been avoided. Harsha Gowda’s cinematography shows colourful Bengaluru in a fresh light. Authentic performances, with content that is brand new, at least for the Kannada audience, Nimma Vasthugalige Neeve Javaabdaararu makes for a good theatre outing, especially for the thrilling second half.