Paruthiveeran

If you watch a movie in a language which you don't understand a word of and the movie does not let you realize this fact for whole of its length, that is a good enough reason to praise a movie.

Parutheeveeran is a Tamil movie which I watched with subtitles and though I don't understand a word of Tamil other than "macha" or "Naan unnai Kathalikkireen", I can guess that the Tamil used in the movie is very original countryside old Tamil. And the characters spoke so fast that at times I had to pause and read what the they said, but it was all worth it.

Story is very simple. Parutheeveeran is a country brash, loafer who spends his time doing petty crimes with him uncle and wants to become famous by going in Chennai jail. Muththazhagu loves him unconditionally because he saved her life when they were kid but her father is against it. Parutheeveeran ignores Muththazhagu and keeps her at distance. But when he realizes her love towards her the story takes an interesting turn and reaches to a climax which most of the viewers will not expect.

Music is high point of the movie and is nowhere near to conventional music. The songs (some would doubt its existence in the movie) are used to create the mood for the what happens in the movie. The movie starts with a village festival and the collage of various folk style song snippets leave the aroma of rustic yet colorful and joyous village which lasts till we reach towards the climax of the movie.

Acting is top notch, not only by main actors but also by all supporting characters. Most of them has been handpicked from the locality where the movies was shot, which makes them look very original. Very rightly Pramani got National Award for best actress for her portrayal of Muththazhagu in the movie. If you have any doubts, check out this scene.

There is no set so to say, whole movie seems to be shot in real locations and they are mesmerizing. It makes you want to go to a village outside of Madurai and live there for a day or two just to admire their life. Direction is awesome but I guess the actors, cinematographer, editor etc have made the job of the director very easy.

Now the climax. I feel climax is an art and as I have described in another article leaving the movie at right note is as important as garnishing the meal. The climax of the movie may sound disturbing and depressing to some, but I felt that movie could not have a better ending. The act by Parutheeveeran and the end not only justifies his eccentric character but also epitomizes his love for Muththazhagu in a very peculiar way which requires some pondering.

When i bought the ticket for 24th night show at Albert theatre in Chennai, what is bought was not a cinema ticket, it was a ticket to a place in remote village in tamilnadu called Paruthiyur...Nobody in that village know me or the 1500 people sitting in the theatre...they were living their day-to-day life and we were watching that...Oh...their lives are sad at times...happy most of the times...we felt sad for them...happy for them.....and in the end...we all felt sad..My friends warned me against watching the last 10 mins..i did just that..and iam happy for that...my friends couldn't sleep for the last 2 days...When i came home from theatre...I felt " I just saw the best movie in my life"....

No Tamil movie ever had the kind of narration till now as this move had. Story, screenplay, dialogues, music and acting was very good. Every single frame has its own uniqueness. I should mention the hero opening scene for example. Very big life message was told to audience in an unusual heartbreaking style. This one is definitely a masterpiece.

After long time, a great movie for Tamil cinema from Ameer

Ameer, his third movie. He made a great impact in Tamil cinema with 'Raam'. Now another magic with the name Paruthi Veeran. The film made with excellent sense of film making. Well written story and screenplay with perfect support from cinematography.

Yvan as usual, did it again with Ameer, with wonderful nativity songs and background score that travels well with the story. the song with Ilayaraja (Ariyatha vayasu...) still occupies my mind.

Karthi (brother of Surya, son of Sivakumar) did a fabulous job. No one will believe this is his first movie. amazing effort in his debut.Priyamani, after long time a lady lead has a great chance to perform and she did a fabulous job.

This movie will change the career for both Karthi and Priyamani.

This is a kind of movie that changes the way of Tamil cinema

Some of the movies we watch never draws first blood. But it grows on you slowly and steadily like poison. This is one of those. That effect reaches new heights when you realize that it is based on a true story. Ameer I think has taken the 90:10 ratio. Keep the audience happy for 90% of the movie and shock them to hell in the last 10. His mentor Bala does that with similar if not more success. Though the new comer Karthik (though there were shades of Surya his brother) has done a nice job, Priya Mani steals it in the last 10 min. Like how Kamal hassan steals Mundram Pirai right out of Sreedevi in the last 10 min. You will enjoy Saravanan with his dialogue delivery and the ease with which he carries his role. If you want entertainment avoid the last 10 minutes. Otherwise watch it fully for a whole new meaning.