Its been quite a while since I watched a movie. Last couple of days had been really hectic and I badly wanted to relax so thought of watching a movie. I had initially planned for Paiyya but ended up watching Angadi Theru as I didn't get tickets for Paiyya. I should say I am so glad I watched this movie.
Angadi Theru is a subtle love story mixed with the harsh realities of people working in huge middle class shopping destinations like Saravana Stores. Infact anyone who has been to Ranganathan Street Saravana Stores would easily guess that the director is directly pointing fingers at the shop and its owner.
The story reveals the pathetic living conditions of people working in such shops. Its a hard hitting reality that these people lose all freedom and compromise on even basic living needs to send a meagerly sum of money back home to their families. I don't know if the actual situation has been exaggerated (like the mess for the workers, place to sleep) for providing a sheer dramatic effect to the movie but if it is indeed real then the state of these people are more than pitiable.
There are also a couple of sub plots (That involving a handicapped person and his wife. The part involving Heroine's sister.) which are good. The piece involving the heroine's sister is yet another case of how still people go through a lot of hardship.
Though there are a lot of depressing/sorrowful scenes, at the end of the movie you won't leave the theatre with a heavy heart.
Both the lead actors are new faces (I think) and have done a commendable job. The female lead looks cute and has expressive eyes. I read somewhere that the hero is the son of a snacks vendor in a theatre in Dindugul. Both of them and most other cast have been chosen well and really look like people you see in real life.
Music is not exceptional but moved me to tears in a couple of scenes. The BGM in the part involving the heroine's sister is really good. I liked it.
There are no separate comedy tracks and no dramatic fight sequences. I really don't enjoy cinematic fight sequences or comedy track which doesn't gel with the story. So it was to my liking in this movie.
Packaging a love story in such a heavy subject is quite challenging. The director has done a splendid job. He would have had a horrible experience shooting in Ranganathan street, Usman Road, Duraisamy Subway and place near Udhayam theatre. (It doesn't appear to be graphics. If it is then it is amazingly well done.) The impact of the movie is such that when I go to Ranganathan street or any such place the next time I wouldn't definitely ignore people selling remote covers and any such trivial things.
Overall a very good movie. Almost perfect. This is one of those rare movies which you really expect to see. I rate this better than Veyyil from the same Director.
A must watch.
When I walked out of the theatre I felt happy for not having to live such a life. Certain things popped up in my mind as I came back home.
Stop reading here if you don't want the plot to be revealed.
1. The hero in the movie is a school topper in 12th grade. His family loses his father, the breadwinner of his family in a railway crossing accident. The onus is now on the hero to support his mother and his two younger sisters so he comes to Chennai to take up a job in hell.
a. How many of us will be ready to support a family like this until the guy completes the degree to take up a good job so he can support his family better.
b. How many of us realize the importance of both husband and wife working in families where there is no solid monetary background. If his mom had been working he could have continued his studies. That triggers another thought - It is important for females to have a good education too.
c. In case they had enough money to just run the family after his father's death how useful it would have been if everyone had free education in all levels. The guy could have continued his studies. Free education at all levels and seat allocation based on merit is another huge topic for debate.
2. The heroine's sister is working as a maid in a brahmin family. She attains puberty and they make her sleep in a dog shelter until the heroine goes there next day with the hero's help. People set customs and procedures. Why do we then value customs and procedures more than people? Maid is a human being too...
3. People in these stores have to live with such pathetic conditions because authorities who should question these take money and remain silent. When and how will this situation change?
