Tamil Cinema has recently met with mega flops like Kuruvi, Kuselan, Sathyam etc., and like a breeze some small productions have hit the bull’s eye.’Subramaniyapuram’ with a debundant director, new faces and a debundant music director is one of the small budget films that has been declared as a hit by one and all. Apart from Jai of Chennai 2006 and comedian Kanja Karuppu everyone is a new face. The director is one of the main characters in the movie.
What makes Subramaniyapuram a different movie? It is the simple making style and a different approach. There are no duets, well choreographed group dances and flying actions that are a must for every Tamil film. The story line is based on characters and sequences we have seen in films like Mere Apne and Ankush. The uninhibited killings and gory should defenitely be inspired from’City of Gods’. The director has done the magic of converting an ordinary story to a hit by just giving a period tinge. The attention of the audience is successfully distracted.
The story takes place in the early 80s. Madurai Subramaniyapuram is filled with lumpen youth dressed in bell bottom trousers, checked and flower patterned long collared shirts tucked in to reveal the broad waist belts. Vespa scooters, bicycles and silver painted buses ply along the roads which have no digital banners and cable wires. The cinema banners and cut outs are hand painted and the local temple festival is celebrated with serial lights and horn speakers. Ilayaraja’s seasonal hits linger in the air and Hindi filmi songs from Yadon ki Bharat telecasted via doordharshan from black and out televisions, properly locked with doors. The 80s are painstakingly brought out by the director Sasikumar and Art director Rembon.
The narration travels between loyalty, distrust and betrayals. Even the romance element is given a sudden twist which is a new trend for a Tamil movie. Everyone betrays others irrespective of love and friendship and vendetta ends the movie. Director Sasikumar comes from the team of Bala and Amir and has proved himself in giving a quality film. He is also the producer of the film . His performance as the brooding introvert and ruthless killer is praiseworthy. Jai, Kanja Karuppu and all other performers including Director Samuththirakani have given quite natural performances.
Music is by TV Celebrity James Vasanthan, who was once Music teacher to the director and has done a pleasing job, but the vintage’Siru ponmani asaiyum’ song by Ilayaraja has stolen the show. Thanks for not remixing that gem of a song. Cinematography is by Kathir. He has shot the entire movie with super 16 instead of 35 mm, and has brought the mood and lighting of the 80s and also saved the cost of raw stock. One commendable shot is the lengthy scene of Kanja Karuppu walking alone after betraying his friend.
Watch’Subramaniyapuram’ if you love good cinema by newcomers.