2014's K'wood films with a message

[MysteRy]

2014's K'wood films with a message



Breaking away from the usual run-of-the mill romance stories and mindless action flicks, 2014 saw some interesting films touching upon serious social issues and themes. While some of them dealt with the issues in depth, others chose to include plenty of commercial elements in the script, perhaps believing that the audience would reject the film otherwise. Here’s a list of such films that caught our eye last year.





A movie with a rooster as the superstar, Saivam (directed by AL Vijay) spoke about animal rights, especially the practice of animal sacrifice which is common in Tamil Nadu. Though a touchy subject, a strong script and excellent performances by the cast ensured that the film took its message to the audience.

It’s impossible not to empathize with child actor, Sara Arjun, as she does her best to save her ‘pet’ from coming under the knife. The film never gets preachy and makes for good entertainment, even as it makes its plea to the audience.

[MysteRy]

Caste is a very sensitive subject throughout the country. But Jeeva (directed by Suseenthiran) talks boldly about caste politics in the biggest sport in India – cricket. Without mentioning the name of the community that dominates this sport in Tamil Nadu, Suseenthiran drops enough hints to tell us who ‘they’ are. The allegations are supported with cleverly woven in statistics in the script to ensure that the audience knows this discrimination actually does exist and isn’t a figment of the director’s imagination. The cast is outstanding and the romance between the lead pair, Vishnu and Sri Divya, is very convincing and believable.

[MysteRy]

Remade from the Malayalam Salt ‘n’ Pepper, Un Samayal Arayil (directed by Prakash Raj), is about the romance between the not-so-young. The Malayalam version is head and shoulders above the Tamil one but still, the film talks about the social pressures on single men and women of a certain age, an unusual theme in Kollywood. The denigrating comments, the pitying advice, the lack of self-confidence – all of these find their way to the script.

Prakash Raj is a little over-the-top and the chemistry between him and Sneha doesn’t really work. Ah well, it’s nevertheless a good break from the usual dancing around the trees.

[MysteRy]

Kaththi (directed by AR Murugadoss) dealt with the issue of farmer suicides and the insatiable greed of the corporate sector. Starring Vijay and Samantha, three-quarters of the film revolves around much singing and dancing and heroics. The script is half-brained and has no self-introspection even as it goes on a moralistic rant about urban culture. However, the few scenes that do deal with the issue are powerful and effective.

Vijay has a dual role in the film and it was a surprise to see him play the shy and humble Jeevanandham without the trademark sneer on his face. It’s unclear what Samantha was doing in the film but at any rate, the pair shared a good chemistry in the catchy songs that are on everyone’s lips these days.

[MysteRy]

Velaiyilla Pattadhaari (directed by Velraj) is about unemployed, educated youth and the struggles they face. VIP is a mass film and it doesn’t try to be anything else. So when Dhanush beats up goons, gives his punch dialogues, romances his lady (Amala Paul), weeps for his mummy (Saranya Ponvannan), and triumphs in the end despite all odds, you barely raise an eyebrow because you’ve seen the same story only a few million times. However, parts of the film succeed in authentically conveying the depression and self-effacement that young people feel when their energies are not channelized properly.

[MysteRy]

Madras (directed by Pa.Ranjith) is a brave film that talks about misdirected youth, local politics, and the philosophy of rationalism. It also captures the atmosphere of North Madras perfectly.

Karthi is excellent in his role though Catherine Tresa looks pretty out-of-place in a housing board colony. Centered around a wall that two political groups fight over, the narrative effectively communicates how superstition and irrational fears are fed to the public by those in power to keep their interests safe. A great come-back film for Karthi.

What will 2015 bring? We hope more film-makers will take risks and give us films that make us sit up and think!