Merku Thodarchi Malai

I am from the Idukki (Kerala) side of Western Ghats, exactly the Vattappara cardamom hills, where the movie revolves around. I was eagerly waiting to watch the movie when I first came to know about this in the IFFK. As it was not released in Kerala I was utterly disappointed and was double minded about watching the low quality Tamilrockers print. However I was able to watch the movie with good quality by waiting for a few days, even though I regret for not having a good theatre experience.

The movie tries its best to prove justice to reality of the hills. It is very much able to bring the plight of the landless Tamil labours who work in the cardamom plantations. The cruel nature of 'Kankanis', and the opportunistic politics of trade unions are very well depicted.

As I had no first hand experience about the lives of labours on the lee side of the mountains and as I was eager to know about it, the movie come in handy. The story is so intense that we could finish the it only with a disturbing mind.

People's movie.. Director did a great job. After longtime workers political movie..

Right from the opening shot till the end credits roll, this is a technically slick movie and makes you hooked with a compelling narration aided by stupendous cinematography. For just the breathtaking camerawork, this movie is worth a watch. Though the performances of the new actors are very natural, a director like Bala would have made them emote still better. And Lenin has intelligently not filmed their expressions in close-up. Last but not the least, the maestro's score that some critics have been disappointed with. In my view as a layman, his score as always quite effectively connects the movie with the viewers. It is silent at many places, functional at a very few places(including the marriage song), brilliantly intense during the latter half(including the beautifully composed/rendered Andarathil song. The maestro has used a Thara Thappatai movie sequence BGM in the prelude/interludes of this song). In my personal view, this is a Bala-movie minus the violence he is known for forcefully thrusting in his movies. MTM will definitely leave lump in your throat when you come out of the movie hall. Must visit movie amidst the mindless mayhems we have been be exposed to.

MerkuThodarchiMalai - Travel lively along with the peoples of western ghats. Theni Eswars cinematography and illayaraja's background score beautifully portrays the real life naturally.

Best from Tamil cinema.Thanks to Vijay Sethupathi's production house.

Lenin Bharathi's Screenplay will make us to travel along with the real life characters footpath.

Wonderful experience, support such a film in theatres.

Wow !. Technology and creativity are enormous pollination !.