The distributors all over Tamil Nadu were having sleepless nights during the March 2002, and that was because of one Man, MANI RATNAM.Maniratnam is the most saleable director in Tamil Nadu, and he suddenly spelled disaster in forms of Iruvar and Uyire.Though he produced an unbeatable success in Alaipayuthey, the distributors were not sure that Mani would make it again with political movies.But they knew the whole of Tamil Nadu were waiting with fingers crossed.And finally after the steady run of the film, one distributor summed it up’’Screening films like these dont bring money, they bring satisfaction’’.The film as everyone agreed was a classic film, with enough pep to make the most jovial person cry.The film was a hard made one and wonderfully made, but the audience were not ready to watch it more than once.Reason:The film is too real and naturalistic.It pricks your soul highly, alas you go for a film to enjoy three hours.A class movie, which the mass is not interested.
The film is a tragic story of a small child, who is in search of her real mother in the curfew-strifen SriLanka with the support from her adopted parents.The plot is simply outstanding and narrative with the great Maniratnam touch.
Coming to the cast, the main cast is the girl Amudha played by Keerthana.Keerthana(daughter of Parthipan and Seetha) has done her parents proud with a dazzling debut.She acts wonderfully and irritates the viewers whenever she is adamant, abiding the nature of the film.Madhavan may evoke a mixed response for the film, but he has done a neat job.Simran once again proves her ability to fit into any charecter with great ease.PrakashRaj is convincing, and so are Chakravarthy and Delhi Kumar.But the surprise packet is Nandita Das who plays the original mother.All the cast have done wonderfully.
The crew is more convincing than the cast.If Sabu Cyril doesnt get the award for the best Art Director, then no one deserves it.The arts and sets are so real, that you believe that you are watching a film, filmed in Sri Lanka.The Art Direction is simply highest class I have seen in recent times.Sreekar Prasad and Ravi.K.Chandran have done terrific jobs as well.While Ravi’s camera work is magical, Sreekar Prasad makes the film more lively with his editing.The dialogues of Sujatha are crisp and effective, as you find in most of Maniratnams films.
My brother said the following words when Mani signed Rehman for Roja, a decade ago’’Mani is making the biggest mistake.How can he expect someone to compose after he and Illayaraja have been magical’’.Rehman today India’s top music director simply elevates the mood of the viewers with his music.The musician and director, both world class have never compromised the story for the songs and simply take the movie to greater heights.The songs penned by Vairamuthu make the film hit harder in your souls.To comment in detail about the Music, let me request for Kannatil Muttamital album through my Mouthpad.But in one line, the music is INVINCIBLE and POWERFUL.
Coming to Maniratnam, should we need to elucidate on this director, who is the pride of Kollywood.He has made every one of the crew strain their nerves.He made the whole cast reach their acme of perfomance.And to cap it all, he was perfect in coordinating them, and blending them with a great storyline.
If at all you want to prove that Indian Cinema is world class, just watch this film once..atleast once in a lifetime