Thanga Meengal

Was watching this much acclaimed/awarded movie yesterday on TV.

While there are no doubts that it is indeed a thematically different and visually brilliant film. Yet, Ram, with his sledge hammer subtle heavy handed handling, makes this into a mind numbing MELODRAMATIC mess !

A HUGE letdown !!

Strange choice as the Best Tamil Film of 2013 :(

Coming out of the theatre, I could see a parent hugging director Ram and congratulating him with tears. Can there a bigger appreciation for the film and its maker? There is no surprise why film-makers went gaga over 'Thanga Meengal'. If 'Katradhu Thamizh' was hard-hitting and brilliant, 'Thanga Meengal' is a masterpiece. Though the film's release was delayed, the theme of the movie is timeless and will strike the right chord with the audience. A tale between a father and his daughter, this movie has so much more to it.

Plot

Kalyani (Ram) is a doting father of Chellamma (Baby Sadhana). For him, his daughter is the world. He struggles to pay even his daughter's school fee, but he wishes to bring the world under his daughter's feet. Circumstances force him to leave away from his daughter and he promises to bring her a dog for her birthday. Will he keep up his promise?

Performances

It would have been impossible for any actor to carry the role of Kalyani to perfection. When many directors are behind acting for fame and money, Ram has fully justified why he wanted to do the role by himself. He can be so intense and childish at the same time. Watch out for the scenes when he breaks down due to his helpless conditions. Baby Sadhana is definitely an amazing find. She could portray myriad of emotions at will which hypnotizes you to the film. Hats off to director Ram for making the little girl emote this magnificently!

Shelly Kishore as Vadivu fits in the role of a mother aptly. Rohini and 'Poo' Ramu are brilliant in their respective roles. Baby Sanjana steals your heart with her innocence and Padmapriya's cameo act is effective too.

Technicalities

Right from the title cards, Yuvan Shankar Raja's background score tugs at your heartstrings. It is so heartening to see him score music for films that stand out. First, it was 'Aadhalal Kaadhal Seiveer' and now it is 'Thanga Meengal'. Amidst songs, 'Aanadha Yaazhai' and 'Nathivellam' will definitely be rated among the best melodies composed by him.

Arbhindu Saaraa's camera work is exceptional. The way he has shot the lush green mountains in 'Aanandha Yaazhai' song is something you need to witness on the big screens and relish. Sreekar Prasad's editing is slick and with a running length of 2 hours and 20 minutes, this emotional drama does not lag in pace too.

Screenplay and Direction – Ram

Director Ram's script and his screenplay are the biggest plus points of the film. There are countless poignant scenes in the film which will give you goosebumps. The movie starts with the little girl telling her dad 'Nee mattum sethu poga kudadhu pa' (You alone should never die dad). You are set for a brilliant emotional ride right then. The dialogues of the film are relatable and powerful. The little girl preferring going on a bicycle with her dad rather than on a car will leave you on a high. Most of the serious issues are dealt in a down-to-earth manner. The movie will also be a powerful whip to schools that are behind money.

The innocent conversation between the two young kids in the second half will ask so many questions to the adults, who think they have mastered the art of living. Ram has not forced any scene or dialogue in the movie to exaggerate any sequence. No character in the film is made to look like an antagonist in the film. Director Ram can be proud of his film and he has every right to be angry for the delay in release. Special mention to Gautham Menon and JSK Film Corporation for being behind Ram in making this classic.

The movies that portrays the lives of common people will always be natural and it makes us to stick through the content and characters. One among such movie is this. It will make you stick with the characters and plot.

The struggle of a poor father and his beloved daughter is portrayed in a great way. Who can even forget the lyrics of the song 'Anandha Yazhai Meetugirai' such a fabulous lyrics from the gem Na. Muthukumar sir. Background scores grab us.

The most underrated thing is Screenplay and Camera works. Almost each and every frame is busy with either a bokeh or some properties other than subjects and that played an important role in sticking to the plot.

Regarding acting, Director himself played as dad and he did his part very very well. And that kid's acting is top notch.

THANGA MEENGAL-My Review

After a long time, a complete satisfaction after watching a movie. "Chellama" another Girl "Ishaan Nand Kishore Awasti" in Tamil.. wow Wat an acting! U deserve many awards kid.. no words to appreciate Ur acting Sadhana. Also Sanjana who acted as "Nithyashree" was also so cute and performed so well. Director Ram as an actor.. in the role of Kalyani you lived and rocked. Not just one scene, in many scenes you made us feel. That is the real victory. of course there is slight cinematic touch but doesn't matter as we moved into the character of Chellama, we couldn't notice any minute flaws. And other artists Padmapriya,Lizzy,Rohini and her husband etc., everyone did well in the roles offered to them.Shelly Kishore as Ram's wife excelled in performance. Arbhindu Saaraa's cinematography seriously in world class.You could witness that in "Aanandha Yaazhai" song.. Though bit dramatic the climax is a poetry.. There are really scenes which will make you feel and tears may form in your eyes. Claps in the theater when the word appears written & directed by "Ram". I dunno whether it will be a commercial success or not but Ram should be proud for making a movie like this. And Yuvan's music is too good. Na.Muthukumar's lyrics are like peacock's feather. Sreekar Prasad's editing just collects and arranges the best possible scenes. A feel good movie watch it with family ESP kids...

THANGA MEENGAL-A GOLDEN MOVIE Rating: 4.5/5

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Thanga Meenkal (U) TAMIL -------------- my Rating : ★★★★ EMOTIONAL PACKAGE

STRENGTHS :- * Casting and Performances : especially by RAM and his wife was excellent ..... * Dialogues and Few scenes : were real and my eyes were filled with tears ...... * Music and BGM : was good with its beautiful songs .... * Story direction : different ...... * Camera : Locations were well shot .....

WEAKNESSES :- * Screenplay : was very slow.......

FINAL VERDICT :- * Overall.... the movie was a clean emotional drama .... we cant except more from this movie .... it is a simple movie.... This is what the life is ?

Ram,Padmapriya Set in a small town, the movie tells the story of a beautiful relationship between a father and his daughter.