Prakash Raj
Krishnamurthy
Overview
Seven people from different walks of life give their blood sample for ELISA Test - AIDS Screening. To avoid the tension of waiting, they decide to bribe the technician and know the results earlier. They come to know only one among them has AIDS. Each one hoping it is not him,waits with anxiety. The film takes an unexpected turn from here creating an emotional and shocking end.
Cast
11 people
Reviews
4 min readThe Waiting Room as a Moral Crucible
I’ve sat in enough waiting rooms to know their unspoken rules: don’t make eye contact, don’t ask why the person next to you is here, and above all, don’t imagine the worst. Sometimes (or Sila Samayangalil, its Tamil title) takes that mundane anxiety and turns it into something far more unsettling. Seven strangers, each with their own reasons for being at an AIDS screening clinic, bribe a technician to get their results early.
Only one of them is HIV-positive. The rest of the film is a slow unraveling of what happens when fear, guilt, and the desperate need to believe in your own innocence collide in a fluorescent-lit limbo.
Priyadarshan, a director best known for his broad comedies (Hera Pheri, Hungama), doesn’t soften the premise with easy laughs here. Instead, he lets the tension simmer in the way people do when they’re trapped together—nervous jokes, awkward silences, the kind of small talk that feels like a life raft. The film’s genius (and its risk) is in how it refuses to let anyone off the hook.
There are no villains, just ordinary people whose flaws and secrets are laid bare by the possibility of a positive result.
The first act is a masterclass in controlled chaos. The camera lingers on hands fidgeting with phone chargers, on the way a woman’s smile doesn’t quite reach her eyes when she says, “I’m sure it’s nothing.” Prakash Raj, usually a commanding presence, plays a man whose bluster cracks under the weight of his own secrets. There’s a moment where he’s alone in the clinic bathroom, splashing water on his face, and the camera holds on his reflection just a beat too long.
It’s not a dramatic close-up—just a man trying to steady himself, and failing. That’s the film’s rhythm: quiet, observational, with bursts of raw emotion that feel earned because they’re so human.
Audience Opinions
Limited evidence
"A niche psychological drama with strong performances but limited mainstream appeal."
Viewers appreciate the film's focus on psychological depth and the performances of its lead actors, particularly Prakash Raj and Ashok Selvan. latestnetflix.com's read is that however, the movie's slow pace and unconventional narrative structure have polarized audiences, with some finding it thought-provoking and others struggling to connect with its themes.
What viewers praise
- Strong lead performances Prakash Raj and Ashok Selvan deliver compelling performances that anchor the film's emotional and psychological weight.
- Thought-provoking themes The film's exploration of psychological and emotional complexities resonates with audiences seeking depth in storytelling.
Common complaints
- Slow pacing The deliberate narrative pace may frustrate viewers expecting a more dynamic or fast-moving plot.
- Polarizing narrative The unconventional storytelling approach divides audiences, with some finding it refreshing and others confusing or inaccessible.
Recommended for
Psychological drama enthusiasts Fans of character-driven stories Viewers who appreciate slow-burn narratives
Full Plot (Spoilers)
Spoiler warning
This section contains the full plot, including major story reveals. Overview above stays spoiler-free.
Buzz & Rumors
Public reportsPriyadarshan’s Sometimes: A Netflix Gamble on AIDS Stigma and Tamil Cinema
Priyadarshan’s Sometimes (2017)—known in Tamil as Sila Samayangalil—slipped into the spotlight quietly, bypassing theaters for a direct-to-streaming debut on Netflix. latestnetflix.com's view is that the film, a drama-comedy tackling AIDS stigma, stars Prakash Raj, Ashok Selvan, and Sriya Reddy, but its behind-the-scenes story is just as intriguing as its on-screen narrative.
A Theatrical Snub and a Streaming Lifeline
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=fb_L9CNaJXs
Sila Samayangalil was originally slated for a theatrical release, but plans shifted abruptly. In April 2018, reports confirmed the film would skip cinemas entirely, premiering exclusively on Netflix on May 1 . The decision was unusual for a director of Priyadarshan’s stature—known for blockbusters like Hera Pheri and Kanchivaram—but it reflected a growing trend in Indian cinema: streaming as a fallback for films deemed too niche or risky for traditional distribution.
The move raised eyebrows. Was the film’s subject matter—HIV testing and societal prejudice—too taboo for mainstream audiences? Or was it a strategic pivot to avoid box-office pressure? The evidence doesn’t clarify, but the Netflix premiere ensured Sometimes reached a global audience, even if it missed the theatrical buzz.
Cast and Crew: A Mix of Veterans and Fresh Faces
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ZPstbiRypeQ
Priyadarshan assembled a cast blending industry veterans with relative newcomers. Prakash Raj, a frequent collaborator with the director, played a key role, while Ashok Selvan—then rising in Tamil cinema—took on a central character 
. Sriya Reddy, known for her work in Tamil and Telugu films, also featured prominently .
The film’s music was composed by Ilaiyaraaja, a legendary figure in Indian cinema, adding a layer of prestige . However, details about the production process—budget, shooting challenges, or on-set dynamics—remain scarce in the available evidence.
AIDS Stigma on Screen: A Bold but Risky Theme
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4fKkYtLQ88Q
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=jHWUBh4jxDE
Sila Samayangalil centers on a group of strangers brought together by an HIV testing camp, exploring themes of fear, discrimination, and human connection. Reviews suggest the film balances drama with moments of dark comedy, a signature of Priyadarshan’s style .
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=k1ldbwlm9EU
But how was the subject received? Some YouTube reviews praised its sensitivity and storytelling , while others noted the film’s low-key release limited its impact. Without theatrical screenings, word-of-mouth buzz was muted, and the film’s cultural footprint remains smaller than Priyadarshan’s commercial hits.
The Mystery of the Release Date
One lingering question: Why is Sometimes listed as 2017 in some databases but 2018 in others? The Netflix premiere was in May 2018 , but the film’s production likely wrapped in 2017. The discrepancy might stem from festival screenings or regional releases, but the evidence doesn’t clarify. For now, the 2017 date aligns with the TMDB listing [TMDB], while 2018 reflects its streaming debut.
A Quiet Footnote in Priyadarshan’s Career
For a director with over 90 films to his name , Sometimes is a minor entry—overshadowed by his comedies and period dramas. Yet its Netflix debut and social themes make it a curious case study in how Indian cinema navigates sensitive topics in the streaming era.
The film’s legacy? A footnote, perhaps, but one that hints at the industry’s shifting priorities: from box-office numbers to global reach, and from safe formulas to riskier narratives.
Entertainment rumors and trivia aggregated from public reporting. Treat speculation as unverified unless a cited source confirms it.