So it was a back to back movie date with our dear friends…after the long morning show of maniratnam’s “brilliant”” CCV( lot of hangover teenage crush of Arun Vijay and more mature liking of Vijay Sethupathi justified the 2 hours), we made sure to grab a ticket for varuthan in the next show itself solely based on reviews of some reliable friends in FB though v didn’t have clue about the theme.As usual,my idle mind tried to weave a story from the trailer and title. I haughtily thought that this is just another ordinary outsider turned gangster over some petty man egos and revenge story with a heroine cast to play as-swappable-as-a-prop for the hero to romance and rescue.The credit for explosion and stunt in the title cards confirmed our belief that this is just another version morning’s outing of red skies and earth of man where women is a mere messenger or body shield or a emotional catalyst.
But it turned out to be pleasant surprise.Indeed it is another of man’s story…his love,lust and revenge…but with a freshness of understanring female perspective.The presentation,visuals and sound effects reminds of horror movie,but it is a horror every girl has faced at least once in her life time.the feeling of assualt at a man’s stare. It reminded me of the things I felt like hurried walk to hostel from office after work or the feeling while waiting at the bus stop for my dad in dark( in fact dad defined the circle of light around the waiting as the sole safe zone) or in a crowded bus. As they say ,if a stare could kill you, every girl can identify that virtual rape done by perverted male eyes which is often laughed off just like the protagonist had done initially in the movie. But this time the truth is not sugar coated…it is indeed presented with dramatic music to represent how a girl’s heart races at such unwarranted violation.It is loud enough for the other guys to hear. It reminds them that we, the fairer sex ,does not require another not-every-men-argument, but a apathy towards the visceral fear v face. I felt my better half squirming in his seat with this sudden exposure, it was thousand times moving and heart-wrenching than the blood shed of the usual action affairs. Indeed, the scene of the perverted sidekick touching the stolen under garments of the lady evocked the same level of disgust in him as I often feel at a brain splattering bullet shot scenes.
The scene of husband plastering the bathroom room window from prying eyes may not be a surprise for us ladies ,who try to constantly seek the refuge of duppata, but was an eye opener for the stronger sex. I think those who had a laugh on Rishi Raj Singh’s 14 second staring rule might have a change of heart after watching this.
Further, the portrayal of self declared moral polices was a very well requisite mirror to the society. It is interesting to note that a public display of affection between spouses upset the society, but the lewd songs and alcoholism is considered a normal outlet of countryside working class. Well indeed in a country where when girl’s dress code and curfew is the determining factor for the progression of sexual offences and marital rape is an urban myth, what else could we expect.
Another facet in the story line is its leading lady’s thought as to why she should not be let to live freely in her own house. It is a contrast to usual self victimisation. In fact when she becomes a victim of sexual abuse later on , she is not thinking about suicide or self pity. she rather thinks practically to move on and find a way to take stock of the situation. Even when she is blaming her husband for his incompetence, it is portrayed as outburst of her frustration and not shrinking away from her own fate. The husband do get his moment of heroism ( in fact very interesting 15 minutes of movie) ,but it is narrated as his redemption for the disappointment in her eyes. Also director has literally given her the “final shot.”
Speaking of final shot, the movie ends in an interesting spectacle. It depicts a classical image of couples sitting in the porch of their hill side cabin bathed in evening sun. But twist in the tale is that she is not lovingly cudling a cute baby(as usually being a mother is deemed to happily ever after for a woman’s story) but rather brushing up a gun( reserved for all intruders) and watching her husband learning to trample those unwanted cockroaches of life.
To sum up, just felt thar this movie is not another flick to be forgotten, it rather give some thoughts for everyone to contemplate as return gift. Hope these seeds or bubbles of reflection could create a larger picture in time.After all, a good cinema can be a mirror for the society of its beauty and ugliness. (It did give me this irresistible urge to pour down my own inner thoughts)
PS:- I loved director’s signature slow motion for the first time and as always fan girl of Fahad fazil. It is also refreshing to see serious approach towards the screenplay that establishes all essential plot devices organically which is relief amidst sea of many new generation movies of this year with lazy or shoddy screenwriting…it is high time to understand the significance of writing along with techniques.
