Produced by- Yaazhi Films & Neelam Productions
Written and Wielded by-Pa. Ranjith
Cast-Kalidas Jayaram, Kalaiarasan, Dushara Vijayan, Sindhuja, Shabeer Kallarakal etc
Censor Rating-A
Running Time-172 Minutes
Rating-***
Almost all the films of Pa. Ranjith, this one included, focus on specific template-caste discrimination -suppression of lower caste by the upper caste!
The only difference here is the fact that this time he has refrained from saying it aloud but has still stuck to his guns, though in a subtle manner!
The screenplay is multi-layered-set around a Pondicherry based theatre group which comprises members from varied castes, sporting varying ideologies, beliefs that are politically and socially multi-dimensional and romantic as well!
The theme also talks about a man marrying a transwoman, a gay couple and lesbian couple-all at one go-the persons concerned connected with the theatre group-all in a very casual manner that appear mostly as a matter of fact!
The performance of the entire cast deserves definite mention, especially, Dushara Vijayan who proves a scene-stealer on the strength of her spontaneity, ably supported by Kalidas Jayaram and Kalaiarasan coming up triumphs on the merit of their nuanced performances.
While the first half sets the platform for what is to be expected the second half goes all out to proclaim it in typical Ranjith’s style.
Can a filmmaker who nurses several thoughts on several issues most of which are caste-based, make a strong statement about things that may not exactly be in agreement with the general opinion-a point to be pondered!
A re all traditional customs and beliefs are old-fashioned and outdated as claimed in certain scenes? Taste this for a sample-
In the opening bedroom sequence, Rene (Dushara Vijayan) asks Iniyan (Kalidas Jayaram) whether they can get married and before an answer could surface, she goes on –if marriage means tying the nuptial knot, then I am not interested! Does this scene aim at subscribing to live-in relationship as against traditional weddings!
Good and bad people are a part and parcel of all religions and castes and it would certainly be not fair to look at specific castes with a jaundiced eye, always!
Pa. Ranjith deserves kudos for drawing the best out of 3 technicians –cinematographer, A. Kishor Kumar, editor, Selva R.K. and of course, Thenma’s unconventional score-all the three factors contribute to the color palette in an effective manner communicating a visual language that speaks more than spoken words! The narrative style as well as the presentation and projection of the principal characters too, warrant mention!
Star Movement in place!
