Balaji Mohan | Dulquer Salmaan, Nazriya Nazim | 2014 | Satirical Romantic Comedy
Vaayai Moodi Pesavum (Thamizh) / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram (Malayalam), is director Balaji Mohan’s Satire Romantic bilingual (2014). This Thamizh debut venture for Dulquer Salmaan, is his second combination with Nazriya Nazim. Also starring Madhoo, Robo Shankar, Arjunan, Nakshatra, Ramesh Thilak, Pandiyarajan and John Vijay, the film is set in the backdrop of Munnar as Panimalai. With a story based on a hill station and a fictional dumb flu, the film maker has managed to spin a bold ambitious experimental attempt through the film. As stated by the film maker, the story is a “sort of social and political satire. It presents a critique of our country’s political and social setup. The fictional dumb flu, which renders people incapable of speaking, as a “metaphor for society’s refusal to communicate freely, which is the root cause of all problems personal, social and political.” Technically the team has a good backing from music director Sean Roldan, cinematographer Soundararajan and editor Abhinav.
The story has a lot of sub texts and character link which gives a lot of weightage to the co-actors, not just to the leads which has been something not very usual back in 2014 Thamizh Cinema. Most interesting part in the film is the simple connections and emotions between them. Aravind’s friend who has problems with facing people and opening up, gets a nurse without speaking. The orphanage where Aravind was brought up faces rental issues from the landlord who has lost interest on speaking and being happy in life due to his eloped son at the end accepts his son for his grandson and also gives back the land to the orphanage. Vidhya, Anjana’s stepmother, an aspiring writer tries to create the bond with her step daughter who finally accept her and calls her “Amma”. This aspiring writing who gave up her passion for the family decides to pick up her passion again and decides to share her work with her husband. Her son who is not so good in studies has a passion for art and sketching, which Aravind helps her figure out. Anjana who is in a relationship with a guy who dominates her and is too possessive, finally gives up the relationship and chooses Aravind. Protests against Nuclear star Bhoomesh for showing drunkards in a bad light in his films by Mattai Ravi, a drunkard who is the President of State Alcoholics Association and Ramesh, President of his fan’s club who opposes this protest finally compromise through the small incident where Aravind weaves his white shirt and which is interpreted as a symbol of peace. Health Minister takes care of the dumb flu but contracts it in the end. So many different sub plots but concludes by the acts of Aravind.
The film was not a commercially successful venture, yet has been one of the bravest attempts with Satire Romance in Thamizh Cinema. The most interesting parts of the film are its interpretations of character colliding and conclusions drawn from it which symbolises the society as a metaphor. The major themes colliding, Actions speak louder than words and everything can be sorted when spoken, are contradicting yet with perfect blend can create wonders in life. The story line between Anajana and her possessive boyfriend when she finally decides to stand up for her shows how equality is important in a relationship, you get to choose what you like irrespective of the gender, stand up for yourself. Her bond with her step mother Vidhya, shows acceptance. Acceptance and adjustments made in life makes it more meaningful and we never know how good anyone could be, Anajana realises that only when she sees Vidhya supporting her to be herself and wear whatever she is comfortable with. Vidhya’s son who is weak in studies but interested in sketching and art, picks videogame over books, but later picks sketches over videogames showing us that his love for passion stands over entertainment, just that if this additional pressure is taken off he would excel is exactly the metaphorical representation of our educational system’s flaw. Vidhya who is an author or two books gave up her career, but when she realises that there are people who stand for her and like her works, that gives the motivation for an artist, that’s the moment she realises to share his burden with her husband and sort out her works and find time for writing. Breaking stereotypes are important especially for married women. Bhoomesh – Matta Ravi – Ramesh ‘s plot line shows how simple solutions are and how big problems to lead to when spoken without sense. Every problem has a solution and each solution can be as simple as wearing a white shirt by a stranger by mistake. Someone’s small action can be louder than the quarrelling words. Aravind’s friend finds his girl, the nurse when he keeps his mouth shout, at times all you need to do is nothing don’t open your mouth and things fall in place. The landlord’s anger broke into pieces when he saw his grandson and his anger didn’t last for long. Every action has a reaction and in return realises the happiness of the orphan kids and gives back the building for them. This whole story plot shows us that there are a lot of emotions and relations which are more important than just money. Finally, Aravind and Anajana, you just have to wait and be you never change the human in you, you’ll definitely find the right person. Vaayai Moodi Pesavum / Samsaaram Aarogyathinu Haanikaram is patience tester, but such movies are worth watching for the deeper meanings.
M S ASHWIN BALAJI 