Kaadhal

Balaji Shaktivel's Kaadhal seems to me to be one of the best films of the decade so far. It is certainly a highly realistic portrayal of urban life in southern India and, as such, is rare enough in itself. But the realism is not simply achieved by pointing the camera at the subject. There is real artistry in the way the film is put together.

Talking to young folk in India recently (not in Tamil Mandu but not a million miles away) I was struck by the desperateness of their search for some kind of intimacy (in the French sense of the word - 'privacy' we would more normally say in English). The omnipresence even in large towns of a 'small town' mentality, of watching eyes and busybodies ready to intervene at the slightest infraction of social codes. The absence of any places for young people to meet and be alone....

It is this atmosphere that Shaktivel catches so masterfully in the film. The way the camera allows us to see the gossiping women, the staring eyes, the curious neighbours at every stage of the film is an absolute marvel and creates better than any explanation could that stifling atmosphere of permanent surveillance of which my young friends had complained.

The magnificently realised scenes in the men's hostel are a sense the key moment of the film and the grimly farcical search for even a moment of intimacy (just so the girl can have a pee in the first instance) are actually very symbolic of this micro-political theme that runs through the film. The way a mini-flashback is used to show us a little of the history of the various men in the hostel and acquaint the audience with its inmates shows a deftness and economy that is characteristic of Shaktivel's thoughtful approach to directing.

The macro-political theme (the conflicts of class and caste) is equally well done. The superb scene in the car where the hypocritical uncle show his true colours is terrifyingly real and more frightening in its way than more overtly violent scenes elsewhere in the film.

The acting is consistently good (from the young boy at the garage to the friend in Chennai, from the grandmother from hell to the creepy uncle and the brutal father). The principals are both very good but the acting of Bharath is really exceptional. There is not a single moment where he overacts (and there are opportunities in plenty) or uses facile mannerisms or unnecessary gestures. It is a piece of naturalistic acting of the very first order (and a later Bharath film I have seen where ha plays a deaf and dumb boy - though not in itself such a good film - very much confirms his stature as an actor).

Kaadhal is a film that deserves to be much more widely known. I only hope this comment will encourage others to go out and find the film (available on DVD).

Kaadhal is a director's movie all the way...His take on this teen-love story can be commended. The story is strong but than the director, Balaji, concentrates more on the happy moments, 20% of the story, taking abt 80% of the play time. His analysis of the lives of the rich-college-girl and the Auto-Mechanic is excellent..One can observe this at the time the boy,Muruga waits for the girl,Aiswarya at the shopping complex, his nails having a bit of grease. Most part of the story happens in the last 20 mins or so with huge pace giving less chance for the sentiment showing out of ur eyes.

The cast and the crew are a right combination...Every one assisted each other well in the technical department.Sandhya and Bharat portrayed the teen protagonists. Both the characters are etched excellent and are realistic.The Bachelorhood at the Mansion is excellently and realistically depicted without much explicitness.

The Tamil used in the movie is a bit funny for a non-Tamilian like me("Ais ka Iceaa"). The kid at the Repair shop did a remarkable job.All in all this is a good movie worth a watch...Though it seems a bit dragged in the middle but thats necessary to get the feel in the climax.

Vanakkam,

A story of true love. Many new faces in the movie in turn marketing the movie - grass root marketing. (Is it viral marketing model or is it open source model - either way the beneficiaries are the Tamil speaking people, myself included). The native Madurai is well portrayed with many subtle aspects. Did I miss out Chennai scenes too done equally well. The contrast looked more like dual specialty done by Balaji Shaktivel.

Music - Joshua Sridhar The supporting cast - Alex, Amsaveni Paatti, Arun Kumar, Dandapani, Jaidurga, Kausalya, Krishnamurthy, Meenakshi & Sukumar. Producer C. Shankar Camera - Vijay Milton Art Director - K Veerasami Editor - G Sasikumar.

i saw this movie just an hour back ,so one can understand my urgency in writing this comment so soon.

what can i say about this movie...perfect screenplay,great music,amazing cinematography and also good performances.

movies like this are rare in Indian cinema nowadays.Even though this a normal love story about a rich girl and poor boy,the treatment is different and also what adds up,is that this is based on a true story.

The first half of the movie is about how they fall in love.well there is enough entertainment in the first half, the second half is realistic.one performance that stands out is that of the heroine-sandhya.she gives a knockout performance in her very first film.

this movie deserves its entry in London film festival.8/10.

Excellent !! Excellent !! Excellent !!

I was dumbstruck when i saw the movie for the first time. This kinda movies just happens. Right from the scene 1 , it locks u in your seat. Some of the points which are worth to be mentioned . 1. Great camera work. The camera just captures the reality n only reality. The suburban part of Tamilnadu is flashed in the screen perfectly without any make up or settings. 2. Music. Applauds to Joshua Sridhar. He has done a neat job. The music supports the extraordinary performance of the cast. 3. Sandhya n Bharath . I broke into tears in the climax. The climax would surely scratch the tears out of toughest heart. Ultimately u will feel for the characters. Commendable job by Sandhya. She just makes ur heart heavy n i bet her weep in the climax will haunt u for days. Bharath etches out for another classical performance. The producer Shankar would have never expected that "Kaadhal" will creates this much gravity among lovers. If you have loved , loving then Kaadhal is more than a movie to you.

This movie had an enormous effect on me that i kept thinking abt the real lovers who were responsible for this movie (director says that it is a real life incident).

Kaadhal will remain forever as one of the best movies in Tamil filmdom.