Well, the year has started for Tamil (not restricted to!!) movie buffs with a stunner. Three years it took for Bala and Arya to come up with this classic (I would call it one). A lot of research has gone into the movie - the life of Aghoris, the beggar mafias (I don't know how to call them) and spinning a story relating these.
The movie is captivating right from the opening - The holy Ganges and Bala's trademark tragedies (yet realities of life) on the banks, set the stage. The initial sequence leading upto the introduction of Arya was well thought out and the scene where Arya is identified was simple but startling! When Arya moves out of Kasi, I was actually thinking what next! If it were a cliche' film what followed would have been regular family sentiment, senseless duets with a bubbly heroine, gravity defying stunts leading to the conquer of the villain and a happy ending - Well, I wouldn't have blogged about such a film... :)
Now comes the social menace that Bala has chosen to handle in the movie - beggar mafias. What follows is really frightening (for the faint hearted). The villain has delivered a stunning performance. He along with the choice of support actors for beggars and the environment in which they live has provided the necessary "gloom" in the movie. It actually took some time for me to identify Puja and in the climax it's just impossible!! The blog would be a spoiler if I reveal anything further :)
Arya has done well - a real break for him and worth the 3 year efforts. Ilayaraja is really a maestro. The music stands out and the BGM can't be better. "Pichai paathiram" song is just beyond adjectives - music, lyrics and video - copybook stuff!!Screenplay is tight amd cogent but for an unnecesary 10 minute comedy (not really!!) in the police station (must have been avoided :().
Overall, a bold movie (deserves award(sss)), which can be an encouragement for people who want to create classics. Some might not like this - to such people I would suggest "change your outlook".
A must watch, I must say.
Cheers!!
Cheers!!
