This pandemic has arrested me not only within four walls of my home but also has hooked me within the framework of the OTT platforms, in its own way. The assorted worlds, these films portray -through the story graphs- are varied from the customary filmy worlds, we are used to. No, recycle bins to furnish nor any default template to fit in, these stories are unique and thus have helped me to contemplate life with all its variants. No human touch to the experience, no faces to smile at (but virtually), just distancing being the motto of life and good health, these films blessed me with a touch, that was so humane.
Sardar Udham
This film is about the life of Sardar Udham Singh and what made me stupefied is the fact that it rewrites the story of the Jallianwala Bagh, from what it is in history – from the perspective of a victim who plans to murder General Micheal O’ Dwyer. Although he works in his household, he murders him in a commonplace- to let the world know that it was Dwyer who graphed the massacre where kids were murdered mercilessly – just to showcase the power of the British.
Sarpatta
What a film on the boxing talents of North Chennai. Tracing the history of boxing with the Dravidian political scape as a backdrop, Sarpatta is definitely a breath-taking film. The implementation of emergency and the repercussions shown in this film gives Sarpatta a genuine historical structure. The nuances of the emotional tiff behind the scenario and the petty squabbles between teams are so well visually crafted. A perfect Pa. Ranjith movie, in a nutshell.
Churuli
This out-of-the-world film is based on a traditional ancient Malayalam anecdote. A village rife with legally accused people who have run away from criminal actions is the topographical platform- So beautiful it is visually, there enter two police officers in disguise to arrest a criminal, hiding there. What was very interesting about the film is the story flow that unveils the continuously intriguing game between the police and the villagers.
The surreal illusions that are impinged connected me so much to the anecdote graphically told in the beginning of the movie.
The last shot makes the whole film a satire and gives the film a totally immersive experience.
Aapla Manus
What a fine experience to watch Nana Patel in Aapla Manus. It explores the hidden animalistic hatred that grows unconsciously amidst people and remains unexplored. How would be an investigation that unravels the death or murder of an old man who has been taken care of by an unhappy daughter-in-law and her henpecked husband – his son. The variants of the human brain indulging in different role plays are visually portrayed in a fantabulous way depicting the contemporary materialistic human relationships.
Jai Bhim
This is an era of renaissance in the Tamil industry and the voice of the voiceless hence finds a place in the visual language. Partly an adaptation of a case handled by Justice Chandru, this film explicitly narrates the plight of the Irular community – who are always being branded as “criminal tribes”. “Jai Bhim” is a painful reflection of the wife of a deceased innocent man arrested in charges of theft, seeking justice with the help of a lawyer. “Frozen “- is the one single word with which I can translate my emotions after watching this.
Home
Rejections have been a part of this modern world and that is the pivot of Home. Very diligently made film during covid times, it is
about a struggling screenwriter and his mood swings in handling his elderly father – which he reflects as his hatred for his dad.
What gave me an in-depth cognition about modern families through this film is the underlying intricate conflict –between a post-modern son and a traditional father. The pain and anguish, the distance and vacuums in relationships have been delineated ruthlessly raw. The climax ends with the handshake of best of both worlds-and this is one of the best films I have watched recently.
Kannekkaane
Mesmerized and jolted literally by every nerve, “Kannekkaane” traces how the ego patterns evolve in human relationships. The emotions of a father who has lost his daughter and trying to get custody of his granddaughter – from his son in law who is remarried is a very powerful emotional subject. Bridging up ego clashes in relationships without giving up hatred results only in alienation. The film has left me sitting back with a lesson – not to hold any grudge against anyone and that ego is just another sickness.
Suraj to me should be bestowed upon with the national award for best actor.
Mimi
Surrogate mothers have never ever been the protagonists of cinema. It is probably the unaddressed, unheard voices of them tinged with their agony and emotions that make this film unique. The cinematography is just awesome in this film. Also, the women who fall innocently in this trap of becoming a surrogate mother is so realistically woven – and that accelerates the depth of the film.
The Great Indian Kitchen
What is very scarce and rare in this tinsel world is the real effeminate emotions, anger, excitement, warmth, and passions. Unnoticed till their death, women always wear a façade and never even know what their real faces would be. This film subtly but powerfully reinstates the stature of women in families and societies. The enfranchisement, a woman seeks, shakes every personal male ego- who partakes in a role play- even while watching the film.
The White Tiger
Initially to connect with- it was the workplace suppression that is realistically portrayed in the film as a common factor in the present-day workplace scenario. Having nothing more to lose in
his life, Balram after the death of his father due to poverty takes up
the job of a driver and barges on his callous boss. The film just exposes the corrupted system of Bihar and the yearning of the human psyche to plunge into every opportunity- be it good or bad – when there is utterly no hope to lean upon. I have been fascinated by the novel “The White Tiger “ by Aravind Adiga , this film hit me so hard depicting the poverty struck the world in the motif of a dark comedy.
This article is authored by Anup Chandrasekharan.
