There is something about this movie. It has
invigorated the romantic in me and stirred me so much that I have no option but
pen my thoughts on it. It is not that the film is without flaws – the ‘innocent’
phase of savitri tests our patience , the film maybe guilty of being too in
love with its protagonist and background score was sometimes just TOO loud and
it ( perhaps understandably) hesitates to go too deep into the character’s
psyche or action. However , the film soars above because of only one reason –
Keerthy Suresh.
Right before I had the lucky opportunity to
watch this movie (twice) , Keerthy Suresh was my least favourite actress. Maybe
because she acted in Bhairavaa , Remo and Thodari – the three worst films
inflicted on mankind. Maybe because she was more Loosu than ponnu in her loosu
ponnu roles. She isn’t typically glamorous or stylish ( not that I particularly
care) nor did she show any acting skill which would warrant her inclusion in all
the latest films.
Until now.
She begun the movie with the usual bubbly ,
enthucutlet beats. I resigned myself for a dud. But then Gemini Ganesan A.K.A
Dulquer A.K.A ‘Ammadi’ dropping Kadhal Mannan entered and the film sprang to
life. We could see why she fell in love , even though there were huge warning
signs everywhere. He isn’t a bad dude either. It is just life. Then comes her
transition into ‘Mahanati’ / ‘ Nadigaiyar’ Thilagam’ . Although I haven’t
watched any of the movies which she acted out in black and white I could see
the greatness. I could see the Savitri in Keerthy. Ganga became Chandramukhi. There
was something awesome about her walking elegantly to the Mahanati BGM. Like
Rajini walking.
Then her heartbreak and downfall. Damn
Keerthy is good. I’m assuming she used prosthetics for the heavy portions and
she emoted so well. Maybe I am praising too much. But she was worth it.
Also , all this throws light on the fact
that the tamil and telugu industry really need to pump out more scripts for
their heroines. They used to in the 50’s, why can’t they now? When everything
is apparently more advanced.
The sets and art design made me nostalgic
for a time I know nothing about. Madras with trams and taxis looked so good, I
wish there were more period movies made. They have a charm which we somehow are
not able to capture in our ‘now’ movies.
The songs are so good. ‘Mouna Mazhayile’ is
all shades of romantic and mesmerizing. Mahanati BGM is so regal and ‘ Irudiyil
enna Minjum’ is just haunting…. The direction , shots were really beautiful.
Telugu Cinema with Bahubali , Arjun Reddy and Mahanati now is showing how to be
grand and good at the same time.
