The
story itself is not much different from numerous other movies
Rajnikanth himself starred in, much later in his career. Movies
like Padikkaadhavan and Dharmadurai too had Rajnikanth being cheated
by his brothers after he had devoted his entire life towards their
success. But its the treatment of the subject that differs here.
There are no grandiose, overdone scenes to show his affection
for them nor is there any artificiality in his reactions to their
behavior. There is no comedy, there is just a single fight sequence
and even that is quietly done and there is only one dream sequence(and
not with the heroine).
Rajnikanth is Santhanam, who lost his father when
he was a boy, and has been supporting his family ever since. He
joined a printing press at that time and has grown step-by-step,
while accumulating enough debts to put his two brothers and a
sister through college. His poverty leads to him being jilted
by the woman he loves and he then gets married to Lakshmi('Fatafat'
Jayalakshmi), solely on the belief that this would get him the
money needed to conduct his sister's marriage. But after sacrificing
his whole life for his siblings, Santhanam watches on as they
leave him once they find greener pastures, leaving him to fend
for himself.
The movie is definitely heavy with no attempt
to lighten the atmosphere whatsoever. Not until the very end do
we see any kind of happiness in the movie. But inspite of the
pessimistic tone and chance for sentiments, most scenes are handled
in a mature and realistic way. For instance, though Rajnikanth
incurs huge debts to keep the family afloat, we don't see him
treat his brothers with softness always. He barks at them at the
right time(like his reaction to his brother's criticism to the
shirt he buys for him) and points out his own inabilities. Similarly,
his silent reactions to the brothers leaving him, speak volumes.
His reaction, when the second brother asks him for permission
to leave, with his bag already packed, is one such very effective
scene.
The effect of many of these scenes is embellished
by the sharp script. The feelings are brought out very well in
Rajnikanth's lectures to his brothers. His reaction to his brother
ill-treating Cho and the way he restores peace and calm after
quarrels between 'Fatafat' Jayalakshmi and his sister sound natural,
mainly due to what he tells them. Even the lecture of a Jeya's
father to her when she expresses her wish to marry Rajnikanth
is logical with no unnecessary shouting. There is also a very
telling comment on why poor people have more kids that rings true
while being funny.
Not that the movie is completely devoid of exaggerations
though. The behavior of Rajni's sister, especially when he takes
a present for her child, appears cinematic and unnatural. Normally,
its the reversal of fortunes in such movies that makes us cheer
and lifts our spirits. But here, these portions seem rushed. They
give the feeling that S.P.Muthuraman did not have the courage
to maintain the sad tone of the movie until the end and slapped
together a happy shift in the story. The background voice that
narrates the story only gives credence to his line of thought.
Rajnikanth here will be a revelation to
those who have been exposed to only his recent movies. He makes
a very believable, sympathetic protagonist during all stages of
life. His outbursts towards his brothers and sister are as effective
as his crying over his wife's death. 'Fatafat' provides good support.
Cho plays the kind of friend any of us would be lucky to have.
His friendship with Rajnikanth is one of the strongpoints of the
movie. Surulirajan is cast against type and portrays a man easy
to hate. Ilaiyaraja has a classic in Kanmaniye Kaadhal..., though
the picturisation leaves much to be desired.
Aarulinrunthu
Arupathuvarai Songs ...
