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| Mayakannadi
: reflections of urban ambitions |
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Mayakannadi
Movie Review
Cast: Cheran, Navya Nair, Radha Ravi, Vinodh
Raj
Direction: Cheran
Music: Ilaiyaraja
Production: Panju Arunachalam |
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Cinema is an art form that has lost its soul to
commercialism. But once in a while a movie does
come our way that seeks to enlighten as well as
entertain. Mayakannadi is in that rare genre. Though
Cheran may not have hit the bull’s eye this
time with the entertainments, he does not fail in
delivering a message. It takes courage to go in
for the kind of narration that Cheran has adopted
in Autograph, Thavamai Thavamirundhu and Mayakannadi,
but then ‘one man with courage makes the majority’
and Cheran, who met with success on both his previous
attempts has shown that he is not one to be swayed
by commercial compulsions.
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| Mayakannadi
is the first time that Cheran has left the village
milieu and gone in for an out and out city subject.
Cheran plays the typical young, trendy and ambitious
person who just can’t seem to get enough
out of life. He works as a barber (hair stylist,
as the ones working in the trendy saloons prefer
to be called) in a beauty parlor owned by Radha
Ravi. Right next to this shop is the one in
which Navya Nair works as a beautician. Boy
meets girl and love blooms; that’s where
the story begins. During their courtship, reality
hits Cheran hard. His income is just not good
enough to lead a happy (materially) life. Here
Cheran (the character, not the director) sways
to commercial interests. |
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He
starts running from pillar to post trying to land
a higher paying job. There are many interesting sequences
here but the real clincher is when he decides to try
his luck in movies. His antics in front of K.Balachander’s
house trying to attract the director’s attention
look very genuine, the scene draws applause from the
audience. When nothing works and desperation runs
high, common sense takes a back seat; here Cheran
starts working for a smuggler. All the while the picture
of Cheran’s younger brother toiling to take
care of the family is patiently built. There is also
Cheran’s roommate who starts off as a tea vendor
and slowly climbs the ladders of prosperity. |
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It
is during this period that Cheran’s mother
falls sick and at the same time Cheran is caught
red handed while smuggling goods. A two year
sentence threatens to put an end to all his
dreams. Navya Nair’s parents are scouting
for a suitable boy but Navya is adamant in her
love for Cheran. The scene where she pleads
to her parents to let her wait for Cheran to
return is touching.
Radha Ravi, as the owner of the saloon has done
very well. His advice to the youngsters close
to the end really makes everyone think. Cheran
who has gone in for a change in looks has done
a neat job as the discontent young man. Navya
Nair has scope to perform and has used it well.
But the real surprise is Vinodh Raj, who appears
as Navya’s father. Vinodh Raj is none
other than the father of Chiyaan Vikram. He
does well as the strict but benevolent father;
looks like acting runs in the family. |
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If
there is a let down in the movie it must be the background
music by Ilaiyaraja. The Maestro stamp is clearly
missing in most places. The music and the scenes do
not gel. Two songs grab attention. --- by Karthik
and Shreya and Kaasu Illata, a thought provoking number
by Ilaiyaraja himself. Otherwise, the album is pretty
ordinary. |
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Well,
if one had to sum up this movie it surely would
be a difficult job. Looking at close to 3 hours
in the theater and a pretty sluggish first half,
it cannot be called an entertainer. Mayakannadi
is by no means a mediocre movie. But it certainly
falls short of the high standards that Cheran
has set for himself. It makes you think but
fails to touch. That is the difference between
just another movie and a great movie.
But having said that, the movie is an earnest
attempt and should be encouraged wholeheartedly.
Such movies do not happen very often. So, leave
your expectations at home, forget about masala
mass entertainers and go watch this one, for
it will make you reflect upon yourself. |
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The
age old but pertinent lesson that the movie teaches
can be summed up in one line- ‘a rolling stone
gathers no mass’.
Mayakannadi- a message that must not be missed. |
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