This is one of Mani Ratnam's first movies. Starring Mohanlal, the movie attempts to show labor problems and poverty in Kerala, India. Apart from poverty, the political mess in Indian villages are also portrayed in the movie. There is a scene where Mohanlal arrives in town and goes to a tea stall and asks for tea. The shop owner asks him which party (political) he belongs to. Mohanlal replies; I do not belong to any party. The shop owner then says, I can't serve you tea then. Can this be really "real"?
Mohanlal has to join a trade union if he needs employment. Many social issues including religious fanaticism are shown in this movie. It has been a good attempt to make a movie telling a story like this but it isn't effective enough. Mani Ratnam made this movie to learn how to direct movies I guess.
