beautiful. Apart from cinematography and direction, Jeevan has also breathed life into the movie by essaying the character of Pa. Vijay’s friend.

James Vasanthan had attained instant popularity after his debut in Subramaniapuram. Now, James Vick is set to attain the same status with Gnabagangal. Having made such a good impression at a young age, I expect him to go on to greater heights.

Gnabagangal makes everyone in the audience reflect upon their own love story, that is where the film succeeds big time. The dialogues are really a highlight of the movie. They are smooth, very natural and yet very special.

Especially the scene where Kathir (the central character) says that a Re.1 coin is a woman because, there is a flower (poo) on the other side of the head (thalai). He also says that even the waves on the beach can be male or female. There are many such scenes throughout the movie. The love story of Kathir and Meera looks like one that could happen next door, to someone we know very well.

The heroine (Sreedevika), has given life to the character of Meera. She has performed exceptionally well in the scene where she breaks down after Kathir literally leaves her life the night before her marriage to another man. When Kathir’s friend suggests that the two of them elope for a life together, she refuses saying that this would stop Kathir from achieving his ambition in life (national award). She is ready to sacrifice her dreams for the success of her lover’s dream. Real love is not about the body, it is to do with the heart and mind; that is one message through the movie.

The places where Kathir voices his atheistic ideas and the scenes where social equality are talked about, all have the signature spark of the ‘Vithaga Kavignar’s’ pen. The movie does not have any of the regular commercial elements. No item song, no unbelievable stunt sequences, no Vadivelu or Vivek.

The lines that Kathir speaks about Thamizh, Meeera and the Taj Mahal get great applause in the theater without age or gender barriers. The dialogues spoken by Meera to Kathir at the climax are also memorable and touching.

‘There is only one difference between me and the Taj Mahal. It is a tomb that does not breathe, I am a tomb that breathes’. Lines like these are hard to forget. The film shows the Taj Mahal of the North and the Taj Mahal of Tamil Nadu – the Tirumala Naikker Mahal. The songs are lyrically beautiful and the way they have been shot is visually appealing.

The scene where Meera deliberately spills juice onto a newspaper to stop anyone from her family seeing a photo of herself and Kathir at the beach that has incidentally been published has been taken very well.

Vithaga Kavignar Pa Vijay has become a strong contender for the ‘Sakalakalavallavan’ prefix after T. Rajendar. Pa. Vijay has now proved himself to be a good actor. He excels in the scenes where Kathir is pained upon seeing the widowed state of his former lover. He also makes us feel for him when he tells his friend that only she remains his one and only true love in life. The scene where he gifts his National Award to his lover is also special.

Instances when youngsters are arrested by police only on the basis of a few doubts or suspicions can ruin their entire lives and careers. This has been shown in the film. The way parents emotionally blackmail their children away from their love and force them into another marriage has been depicted. Such acts leave the affected person as a mourner for his entire life.

Kathir does not settle for a married life with some other lady, he keeps his lost love cherished in his heart. He adopts Meera Priyan as his pen name and works towards his ambition, which had also been his lover’s dream for which she had declined eloping with him.

‘Vithaga Kavignar’ has used his skills and belief as his capital and given us a good clean film. The film gives the message that love is eternal, it never dies, even if lovers don’t remain. The movie also passes the message that one has to use criticism directed at oneself in a constructive fashion. In other words ‘a successful man is one who builds a strong foundation with the bricks that others throw at him’. Pa. Vijay, director Jeevan, composer James Vick and all others associated with the movie are worthy of appreciation for making such a fine film that will occupy a high place in the hearts of everyone who watches it.

It is a proud moment for Tamil literature. A good poet has blossomed into a good actor. We wish him all the luck for the future, hope that he can take Tamil cinema to the world stage. Gnabagangal is a clean and decent love story that can be seen by the entire family.

Thanks,

Kavignar R. Ravi,
kavignar.ravi@gmail.com

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