Rastha ventures into the untamed territory of Malayalam survival dramas

'Rastha', a survival thriller directed by Aneesh Anwar and starring Sarjano Khalid and Anagha Narayanan has hit the theatres and it's definitely a brave attempt. The story follows Shahana and Faizal as they embark on a quest in Oman to find Shahana's long-lost mother. However, their journey takes an unexpected turn when they, along with two companions, find themselves stranded in the unforgiving Rub' al Khali desert with seemingly no way out, testing their resilience and survival instincts.

While the initial half is somewhat slow-paced, focusing on the search for Shahana's mother, we witness Shahana and her friends tirelessly scouring for Fathima. Initially, it creates the impression that the movie will continue along this storyline. However, the audience is in for a surprise as the movie takes a sharp turn in the second half, shifting gears into an intense survival drama. Along the first half, the film shows the challenges of life in the Gulf, shedding light on the hardships faced and the perception that individuals working there are often seen merely as financial providers, with their personal well-being sometimes overlooked.