Kalyani Priyadarshan

Starring : Jayaram, Urvashi, Kalidas Jayaram, Kalyani Priyadarshan, M. S. Bhaskar, Ritu Varma, Shruti Haasan, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Anu Hasan, Kathadi Ramamurthy, Komalam Charuhasan, Andrea Jeremiah, Gurucharan C, Leela Samson, Bobby Simha, Sharath Ravi, K Muthukumar

Directed by : Sudha Kongara, Gautham Vasudev Menon, Suhasini Mani Ratnam, Rajiv Menon, Karthik Subbaraj

Production Company : Meenakshi Cinemas, Lion Tooth Studios, Madras Talkies, Rajiv Menon Productions, Stone Bench

Music by : G. V. Prakash Kumar, Govind Vasantha, Satish Raghunathan, Nivas K. Prasanna

Cinematography : Niketh Bommi, P. C. Sreeram, Selvakumar S. K., Rajiv Menon, P.B. Shreyaas Krishna

Edited by : E. Sangathamizhan, Anthony, A. Sreekar Prasad, T. S. Suresh, Vivek Harshan

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the latest Tamil film Putham Pudhu Kalai made by five noted directors. The film is available on Netflix and let’s see how it is.

Story:

Ilamai Idho Idho

The first story is directed by Sudha Kongara and features Jayaram and Urvashi who are seeking love at a mature age. Each of them has lost their individual partners and get to spend time together as the lockdown is announced. The crux of the story is as to how they announce their mature relationship to their kids.

Avarum Naanum – Avalum Naanum

The second story is directed by Gautam Menen and features Ritu Varma who is forced to spend time with her grandfather(M S Bhaskar) during the lockdown. As Ritu has some past differences with her grandfather, things look difficult for her. The crux of the story is as to how both the grandfather and Ritu bond together forgetting their differences.

Coffee, Anyone?

The third story is directed by Suhasini Maniratnam and features Suhasini, Shruthi Haasan, and Anu Haasan. Two daughters played by Suhasini and Anu visit their ailing mother during the lockdown. How they bond as a family and bring back their mother to life is the whole story.

Reunion

This story is directed by Rajiv Menen and is about two school friends Andrea and Gurucharan who suddenly meet during the lockdown. Andrea is a drug addict and how Guru helps her to overcome her habit is the whole story.

Miracle

The Last Story is directed by Karthick Subbaraj and features Bobby Simha. He is a small-time goon who decides to rob a software company but gets in trouble because of a superb twist. What is that and how it is showcased is the story.

What’s Good

One of the biggest advantages of this anthology film is its writing. The emotions in each of the stories are solid and hold your attention until the end. The narration is quite detailed and yet does not look lengthy at all. Jayaram and Urvashi as the mature couple are superb. Their conversations and how they portray their mature love for each other is shown beautifully. Also, the small comic touch to the narrative brings a freshness.

The best story of the film is the one directed by Gautam Menen. The way he deals with a grandfather-grand daughter relationship is just awesome. M S Bhaskar is amazing as the old and caring parent. The conversation and how Ritu and Bhaskar recollect their difference is so good to see. The conversations are just amazing and bring a soothing effect on you. Ritu is awesome and holds your attention with her settled performance.

Suhasini Mani Ratnam and the bonding with her sisters in the third story is also good. The conversations between the elders and how things change when a family bond is showcased so well. Andrea is also good in the fourth story and this episode has a good performance by Leela Samson.

Miracle by Karthick Subbaraj ends the film with a pinch of salt. The thrills and twist in this short are very good. How the dots are joined and the thrill part is executed is so good to see. The production values of each story are top-notch. The BGM, camerawork, and other art department have done a terrific job. But what holds your attention is the solid performance by the star cast and amazing writing.

What’s Bad

The film is based on basic emotions in life and that is the reason, there is no great story. So, do not expect a great storyline while you watch the film. Andrea’s story looks a bit stretched and could have been toned down a bit.

Final Verdict :

On the whole, Putham Pudhu Kalai is one of the best anthology series made in recent times. The association of big names, their solid performance, easy to understand Tamil, and gripping emotions make this film an endearing watch. Go for it and you will not be disappointed for sure.

Rating: 3.25/5

So, continuing the series of reviewing movies and shows during the lockdown period, our today’s pick is the 2020 Malayalam film Varane Avashyamund produced by star Malayalam hero Dulquer Salman. The film directed by Anoop Satyan is available on Netflix and Sun NXT.

What’s it about?

Neena(Shobana) is a single mother who lives in an apartment complex in Chennai along with her independent daughter Nikki(Kalyani Priyadarshan). While Shobana starts teaching classic dance, Nikki is desperately in search of a groom through a matrimonial site. Their lives change when a retired major(Suresh Gopi) and a handsome young man Bibeesh come and start living in the same apartment. As time passes by, both the mother and daughter find their own matches in the form of major and Bibeesh. How all of this is done is the whole story.

What’s Good?

It was so good to see Shobana after a long time in a movie. She is the biggest plus of the film and does exceptionally well as the mature woman who falls in love with an elderly man. She plays the role with such dignity and poise. All her scenes with Suresh Gopi are quite endearing. Dulquer Salman plays the waiting game and allows his character to settle down along with the script of the film. Kalyani Priyadarshan is also impressive as the modern girl. The characters have established in a superb manner. The romance showcased, bonding between the characters look quite natural.

What’s Bad?

The film is devoid of commercial aspects and takes its own time to grow. The first half an hour of the film is quite slow as characters are only introduced during this time. There are not many conflict points in the film and it is like the coming of age for different characters.

Final Word

Overall, Varane Avashyamund is a well made romantic family drama that has some really endearing performances. The ensemble cast of Shobana, Duquer, Suresh Gopi, and Kalyani Priyadarshan makes things even interesting for the audience. Barring the slow pace, this movie ends as a decent watch during this lockdown. Give it a shot.

123telugu.com Rating : 3/5

OTT Review : Putham Pudhu Kaalai – Tamil film on Prime Video

Lockdown Review : Varane Avashyamund -Malayalam film