#vaazhai

January 9, 2025

by Inakshi Chandra-Mohanty

1. Vaazhai

It is impossible to speak of the power of Vaazhai without revealing essential details, yet it will be a disservice to the audience to speak of the story without allowing everyone to experience it. Though it is not a suspenseful film, certain riveting elements and character arcs are best felt than described. This dramatic tale of a poor child laborer who oscillates between innocent play in school and the rugged nature of lugging work is both heartfelt and tragic. Sivanaindhan’s story emphasizes a fractured childhood, the burden of reality over aspirations, and a loss of innocence at far too young an age.

This film seems to be writer-director Mari Selvaraj’s most personal work as it contains fragments of his own childhood. His brilliant use of atmospheric elements, repetitive frames, and a larger than life musical score, makes us truly experience the tragedy of thousands of young boys around the country, who are burdened by similar circumstances. By the end of the film, with our guts wrenched and our hearts full, we count ourselves fortunate, that we never had to live such a painful childhood.

2. Kottukkaali

Kottukkaali, translated as The Adamant Girl, is about Meena, one such stubborn girl paraded across an obstacle ridden journey in an attempt to extinguish her love for a lower caste boy, or as her family members put it, the ‘evil spirit’ that has overtaken her body. This neo-realist film, directed by P.S. Vinotharaj of Koozhangal fame, doesn’t strive to make a point. Instead, it centers on introspection, using cinematic metaphors and character tropes to highlight regressive practices, female entrapment, and fragile masculinity. Whether it is Meena’s position reflected by a caged rooster, or a meandering bull the cowardly men are unable to drive away taken with ease by a little girl, or the gross invasiveness of an exorcism, there are many such thought-provoking moments.

The film’s purpose is to appeal to the audience. Rather than deliver a message itself, it allows us to make the decision of what path these characters will take, hoping that maybe the frustration of what we are witnessing, will convince us to take a step away from patriarchal norms. We are drawn into this uncomfortable environment with only one escape: our own sense of morality.

3. Lubber Pandhu

Cricket rivalry. Ego tussles. Intertwined romance. Intense drama. Lubber Pandhu is a complete package, an amalgamation of different genres, a thorough massy entertainer. Yet, it is so far removed from the typical content that emerges from Tamil mainstream cinema. It contains real characters, empathetic relationships, and a pinch of ridiculousness. The story follows Anbu and Gethu two cricket stars from different towns as they regularly engage in conflict to outmatch one another. This struggle is further complicated by their romantic involvements, ultimately forcing them to make choices that determine the value of family, love, and cricket in their lives.

Despite being a film centered around the fragility of the male ego, the strong women and their bond with the men are the greatest appeal. Yasodhai and Durga aren’t just typical love interests, they are the anchors for these hypermasculine men in their pursuit of success. That combined with the crackling chemistry and angsty passion these couples present on screen makes the film an enjoyable experience. The story also places a subtle emphasis on caste differences. It refrains from revolving primarily around discrimination, by showing that while Anbu’s caste has held him back, it is not his identity. We see Anbu as a human being, far before we are made aware that he is from a lower caste. With this slight social commentary amidst a plethora of fun characters, crisp comedy, lovable relationships, and obsessive competition, Lubber Pandhu will leave you with a satisfied smile on your face.

4. Maharaja

Storytelling is the hero in this ludicrous film about a barber attempting to retrieve his stolen dustbin. A seemingly wafer-thin plot morphs into a suspenseful, complex narrative, courtesy masterful writing and brilliant direction. Despite comprising of a few cliched tropes and predictable turns, Maharaja is a sharply executed action thriller that uses non-linear elements to repackage its typical content. The story is about far more than a man’s obsession with a decrepit object, but our ability to decipher this puzzle hinges on neatly placed visual clues and smart narrative progression.

Fresh off the heels of his debut Kurangu Bommai, writer-director Nithilan Saminthan again proves his expertise in manipulation. By creatively weaving together parallel tracks and multiple timelines, he takes the audience on a mind-boggling ride. But the manipulation isn’t just relegated to the plot. It is also present in the emotions. He gets us intensely invested in the titular character and his pursuit for justice even when we aren’t privy to the backstory, and Vijay Sethupathi’s stellar performance gives the character an additional genuineness that resonates with us. Overall, Maharaja is a delightful experience that shows how good storytelling can convert even the simplest of plots into an ingenious film.

5. Amaran

Unlike the majority of army-based biopics that foreground the main character’s journey through his actions and achievements, Amaran is about the person behind the uniform. The husband, the father, the son, the brother, the friend, the leader. Major Mukund Varadarajan isn’t just a national hero, he’s all these as well. Narrated from the perspective of his wife, Indu, this wholesome biopic regales his real-life story by showing us who he is in her eyes. It’s the Indian audiences’ favorite blend of patriotism and emotional drama, balancing his heroic encounters with the relatable, humane aspects of his character.

The most memorable moments in the film are not those where he conducts the intense operations he was hailed for, but those where he is his light-hearted pleasant self, smiling while listening to his daughter’s voice on the way to an attack, sleeping with his wife on a video call, sharing a comedic camaraderie with his army mates, or presenting his parents with a new home. Actor, Sivakarthikeyan, in one of his best performances, deserves credit for the ease with which he shifts between the serious, tough demeanor of Mukund – the squadron leader, and the caring smiles, soft voice of Mukund – the husband and father. Through all these empathetic moments, writer-director Rajkumar Periasamy does a terrific job weaving together an extremely personal story of love, hope, and triumph. For those of us that get exhausted by apathetic action sequences that army films typically rely on, this is a refreshing change. Amaran is truly a heartfelt ode to a national hero, who is first and foremost, a good human being.

6. Meiyazhgan

Just like C. Prem Kumar’s previous directorial venture, 96, Meiyazhagan has little plot development with a heavy reliance on the chemistry between the lead characters. The only difference, in 96 this bond is a teenage romance, and in Meiyzhagan it is a youthful bromance. The story follows Arul’s return to his hometown 22 years after he was forced to leave and his overnight interactions with a distant relative he fails to recognize. It is a heartwarming journey as Arul revisits forgotten memories and rediscovers his old self in this mysterious stranger.