Samuthirakani is a director/actor with a difference. He brings a certain subtlety to not just the roles that he performs as an actor but also to the ones that he builds as part of the stories that he directs. He is also quite deft at playing the protagonist who struggles between the moral path and the practical (albeit) immoral one. Movies like Easan and Visaranai are good examples. In addition, he seems to be a man with his heart in the right direction and does his best to provide movies that have a social message associated with it. Saatai, Appa are good examples. So when we decided to go for his latest offering, Thondan, I certainly was looking forward to an interesting tale.
For one, the movie doesn’t disappoint as it takes us through the challenges faced by a well intentioned Ambulance driver played by Samuthirakani. As is with Appa or Saatai, he plays an immensely likeable (albeit idealistic) character with a heart of gold. Also he tries to retain his sanity at maintaining his composure when encountered with situations where one would expect him to be far less restrained. The movie is littered with several contemporary, social and relevant messages. However that also turns to be the movie’s biggest downfall. In his over-enthusiasm, we get an over-dosage of the same. The movie touches upon several aspects right from Bribery to Police atrocities to Jallikattu to Farmer suicides to Women empowerment which kind of dilutes the overall effect on the movie. The scene where he talks his breath out at naming the several species of natively grown indigenous varieties of local cattle which have since gone extinct in the name of agricultural progress does hit hard though. This movie will also go down in history for one of the most dumbest romances ever. The methodology employed by the heroine to win over Samuthirakani’s affections is exceptionally laughable. Similarly, the need to thrust Soori and Thambi Ramaiah into the mix seems to have been an after-thought to appease the box-office. Lastly, the modus-operandi of Samuthirakani to expose the villain seemed all too easy and reminded me of Rajanikanth’s “Vetri Nichayam” in Annamalai or “Vazhkaiyil Aayiram Padikal Appa” in Padaiyappa. I, however liked the performance of the Police Inspector who was able to show multiple shades of his character while not having too much dialogues. The uncertainity/unpredictability that he conveyed through his eyes was quite chilling and reminded me of the worldly-wise and nonchalant Senior Constable in Visaranai
This movie is a reflection of the times that Tamilnadu as a state is going through. Several important events over the last 12 months have been changing the political landscape at a rate which was hitherto unknown for the last 40+ years of Dravidian party rule. There are genuine intentions among the populace to go back to the roots of the rich native culture while trying to balance it off with the avarice towards the modern day luxuries that a more westernized world has come to symbolize. In such a context, directors like Samuthirakani are doing a valuable service in coming out with socially relevant movies. I just wish that he curtails his over-enthusiasm and retains his focus on specifics to drive the message better. Overall, definitely worth a watch.
Experiential Musings 