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Uliyin Osai - Kalaignar’s pen at work again |
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| Behindwoods
Movie Review Board |
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Starring:
Vineeth, Keerthi Chawla, Akshaya, Kanja karuppu
Direction: Ilavenil
Music: Ilayaraja
Production:
SP Murugesan |
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It
is amazing that a man, at whose age most people would consider
taking a walk to be quite a task, finds time to write the
screenplay and dialogues for a movie while ruling Tamil Nadu.
Yes, we are talking about Kalaignar Karunanidhi, the man who
never seems to get tired. The last time he wrote a script
for a movie was a couple of years ago with Mannin Maindhan.
So, what do you expect when Kalaignar writes a script? Of
course, not the usual romance and action cocktails that we
get to see these days. Kalaignar’s love for Tamil has
remained unchanged through the years and Uliyin Osai reiterates
the fact.
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Set
in 1005 AD, a time when the kings of Tamil Nadu were
at the peak of the powers, Uliyin Osai can be described
as a reminder of how righteous and devout our culture
was in the past. The story begins with Raja Rajan I
desiring to build a great temple in Thanjavur. He wishes
some beautiful sculptures to be installed and sends
out his people far and wide in the search of a woman
who looks good enough to be a model for the sculptor.
The search goes on for quite a while without finding
a girl whom the king thinks good enough to be the model
for the sculptures in the temple. That is when the prince
steps in and offers to find a solution. Indeed, he finds
a woman, belonging to a poor shepherd family, who the
king agrees is the one on whom the sculptures should
be made.
The sculpting works begin. But the human mind is fickle
and moments when emotions take grip over the self can
leave an indelible mark on the lives of people. It is
one such incident that changes the course of the story
and takes it to an unexpected ending. The mind that
knows right from wrong is not able to
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forgive the heart that took over in a feeble moment and in
a touching manner, punishment is self inflicted. There is
also another angle to the story wherein a lady’s love
for a man remains unchanged in spite of the fact that he has
changed in a way that cannot be undone. In short, Uliyin Osai
is a story about all that we should be, righteous, chaste
and loyal and above all there is the bond of love that once
pledged should not be broken. |
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Ilaiyaraja’s
music is definitely one of the high points of the movie
though there are times when one is reminded of his earlier
compositions - the experience on the whole is gratifying.
‘Kaalathai vendra oruvan’ in Bhavatharini’s
voice is an absolute delight.
The cast of the movie consists of Vineeth as the sculptor
who has done a fine job. ‘Thalaivaasal’
Vijay makes an appearance in a negative role. Kanja
Karuppu, Kovai Sarala and Manorama try to infuse comedy
into the movie and succeed at points. Akshaya (Kalaaba
Kadhalan) and Keerthi Chawla are the heroines. |
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Technically
there is not much to mention but the art department headed
by Mahi has done well with the period sets. Kannan with the
camera and Suresh Urs at the editing table have all done a
neat job. Credit must also go to debutant director Ilavenil
for mature handling of an unusual theme.
On the whole, Uliyin Osai is not a film with great merits
but is certainly something different from the regular fare
that we get. For those who care for something different on
the screen this movie is worth a watch. Kalaignar’s
dialogues in classical Tamil are a rarity these days and connoisseurs
of the language will enjoy it.
Verdict: for those who desire difference
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