Story keeps viewer engrossed
Karumegangal Kalaigindrana
MOVIE REVIEW:
(Scattering dark clouds) CAST: Bharathi Raja, Yogi Babu, Gautham Vasudeva Menon and Aditi Balan DIRECTOR: Thankar Bachan RATING: 8/10
KARUMEGANGAL Kalaigindrana is a poignant and heart-wrenching movie that deals with the stark reality of loneliness suffered by the elderly, and the complexities of family life in a modern society.
Respected Kollywood director-turned-actor, Bharathiraja plays Ramanathan, a 75-year-old retired judge, who lives with his son Komagan, a successful lawyer characterised by celebrated director of stylish movies, Gautham Vasudev Menon.
Ramanathan has two other adult children – a daughter who lives in Australia and a son who lives in America. But he lives a content life with his son, daughter-in-law and their two young children in Salem in Tamil Nadu.
Ramanathan is a widower who finds love and joy with his two grandchildren but his relationship with his son is strained. They have not spoken for 10 years and all his adult children are always not around when he celebrates his birthday, which results in them being guilt-ridden.
Ramanathan spends most of his free time chatting and visiting his two elderly friends played by veteran actor Delhi Ganesh and Kollywood heartthrob actor Vijay’s dad, SA Chandrasekhar, who is a brilliant actor, producer and director in the Kollywood movie industry.
Director Bachan turns up the heat when an unread letter spanning three decades is opened by Ramanathan, who then leaves home without notifying his family, and heads for the coastal town of Rameshwaram.
Ramanathan’s family is distraught when they learn of his disappearance from a hastily-written note left on a nightstand in his bedroom. Then starts a frantic search for him.
Ramanathan meets Veeramani (Yogi Babu), who works in an eatery and has a little daughter, Saraal, who lives in an
orphanage. She is separated from him and his partner.
Their chance meeting in a bus results in a respectful friendship that yields dividends for Ramanathan and Veeramani.
Bachan weaves a beautiful tapestry. The story unravels layer by layer while keeping the viewer fully engrossed in the unfolding and spellbinding drama that captures the imagination until the end credits.
Special mention should be made of cinematographer NK Ekhambaram.
His innovative camera work and lighting in capturing the alluring landscapes of Salem and Rameshwaram should place him among the best in his field. Music by GV Prakash Kumar ably complements the film.
What was written in that letter that led to Ramanathan leaving home in a hurry? Why is Veeramani’s daughter living in an orphanage and what is the reason for her dad and his partner’s separation?
And the best for last. The long lingering shot of Komagan standing on a balcony overlooking the ocean in Rameshwaram, scanning the area for his missing dad, and the lingering frame of Ramanathan with his bag of belongings cast upon his shoulder, wading into the sea, will leave the viewer riveted to the screen, wondering ... will Ramanathan be swallowed by the ocean? Will Komagan spot his dad in time and save him?
But no, the credits roll on and on and the movie ends.
You can watch
on YouTube.