BIG SCREEN
Movie: Nandalala
Cast: Mysskin, Ashwath Ram, Snigdha
The much delayed Mysskin's “Nandhalala” turns out to be one-of-a-kind movie; it would be more appropriate to call it an experience than a movie.
On screen
“Nandalala” is the journey of two people in search of their respective mothers for entirely different reasons. Their interactions with the characters they meet on their way and the positive vibes they bring out in them is the essence of the film. Whether they meet their mothers and whether their mothers are as they had imagined them to be, forms the climax.
There are innumerable scenes that leave a small smile in your lips even while wetting your eyes. Please watch out for the scene where the handicapped person who has lost faith in life gets treatment from a doctor who herself is differently-abled. The message that this scene drives home without being preachy is amazing. “Nandalala” is full of such poignant moments.
Cast and crew
Mysskin as Bhaskar Mani is a revelation. His is one character that will linger in your mind long after you have left the theatre. His dialogue delivery reminds you of the famous Kuruvi character in “Anjaadhey”. Ashwath Ram as the young boy longing for his mother's love is convincing.
Snigdha's is a dignified portrayal of a commercial sex worker. She leaves quite an impression in the scene where she narrates her dreary past. Apart from these three central characters, all the other characters they meet on their journey also leave an impact despite their minimal screen presence.
The soul of the film is Ilaiyaraja's music. The BGM score not only carries the movie forward but also elevates it to great heights. The dialogues are few and far between but are razor sharp. Mahesh Muthuswamy's camera is soothing to the eyes and is devoid of any gimmicks. The mood that his camera brings in while the starting credits begin to roll is pure magic. The fight sequences are realistic to the core without being gory.
Bottomline: “Nandaalala” is quality cinema that ought not to be missed. The fact that the film remains fresh even after lying in the cans for nearly two years stands testimony to this fact. For those people who shout from the rooftop that there is not enough meaningful movies in Tamil cinema, it is time to stand up and support efforts like “Nandhalala”.
BHARATH VIJAYAKUMAR, 24 years, working in TCS
