Naan Kadavul - Movie Review

I am stranded for words at the end of the film, but I took courage and managed to get few words to review one of the very few films that had disturbed me a lot. This is once again a personal review, as opinions differ, and what with the film being a Bala special. It has been a long time since I have seen such a heart rendering movie in Tamil Cinema. And this is not a surprise because it was expected from the director who manages to make his films to stay in the viewers mind for a long time. Bala has his own school of direction and 'Naan Kadavul', his fourth venture as dirctor is nothing different.

The story starts with the visuals of Kasi and the Ganges flowing through with the soothing hindi(i think so...) song at the background. Then you are introduced to a old man and his daughter in search of his long lost son, whom he abandoned due to the advice of a few astrologers. He finds his son with the help of a local, and is astonished to find him as an Aghora. Rudran(Arya), after being left alone by his father, took refuge under an Aghora and is also brought up as one(Do not miss his astounding introduction). He believes that he is the creator and he has the right to kill evil people and provide moksha(by the way of death) to people who are not able to sustain. He returns home to Malaikovil(Tamil Nadu) with his father and sister, but neither his mother's affection nor his new relationships could make him differ from what he is. He makes a cave near the Malaikovil temple as his home.

When you are introduced to Thandavan who captures helpless beggers and milks money through the alms which they get, it is then that the original plot is revealed. Hamsavalli(Pooja), a blind girl with a beautiful voice is captured by Murugan, Thandavan's aide and she is made to beg along with the fellow beggers. When she is tried to be sold to a gory looking man for a ransom, she tries to escape, and lands at the feet of Rudran. Rudran, who can sense the evil from the good just by the looks, kills both Thandavan and one other dealer who tries to sell Hamsavalli. Pooja who was tortured by Thandavan, loses interest to live and begs Rudran to give her moksha by ending her life, and Rudran obliges.

There are plenty of scenes which make you cry like when we get to see the plight of the beggers and the way they are tortured when refused to beg. It brings the sour truth of our society to limelight. The choice of artists for beggers(physically deformed in real) is commendable and Bala can take a bow for making such raw people from such a cruel walk of life, to act. These secondary characters form the soul of the film. They not only make you cry but also provide quite a few laughs with their witty dialouges. Bala's penchant for humour cannot be set aside, as right from Sethu till now, he doesnt fail to tickle your funny bone often. The dance sequence in the Police station and the 'Ammavum neeye' song sequence have us in splits

The lead actors Arya and Pooja have relatively lesser screen time than it is required for lead actors. Arya is stupendous in his appearence and his voice modulation is immaculate. His asanas are a treat to watch and we curse Bala for not showing enough of them on screen. Pooja as a blind girl is unbelievably great, with her moves and expressions making us believe that she is one amongst the real handicapped people. She is sure to go places with her talent brilliantly exploited by Bala. The other charaters like the villain Thandavan and his aide Murugan, and the limbless Swami at the Malaikovil, have done a neat job and garner praise.

When it comes to soulful music Illayaraja can never be matched, and he has once again proved the same. The background score is so true that it tugs your heartstrings and takes you into the film. 'Om hari Om' and 'Bikshai paathiram' leave an everlatsing trail in our minds. The music often takes the movie forward when there is lack of dialouges. The technical team also deserves praise

On the flip side, this film is sure to make many a people uneasy while watching it. The raw potrayal of the plight of beggers is sure to create a lump in your throat, but I am sure many might not sleep the night they saw the movie. The climax scene where Pooja is put to death and the scene where she is tortured by Thandavan is just out of imagination for an ordinary film goer. Realism as it is takes centre stage in every Bala movie, but I rate this the best when it comes to realistic potrayal.

So what is the conclusion?
No one in India can never ever think of making such a movie, other than Mr. Bala. If you can see movies like Apocalypto, then here is your cup of tea.

AHAM BRAMHAASMI......

Rating:
For the weak hearted: Stay Away
For others : 4/5