Naan Kadavul : Review

A brave brave film

Main Cast & Crew:
Director: Bala
Music: Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja
Lead Roles: Arya (Rudran), Pooja (Hamsavalli)

"வாழ தகாதவர்களுக்கு நான் குடுகர தண்டனை மரணம்

வாழ இயலாதவர்களுக்கு நான் குடுகர மரணம் வரம்"

"The punishment that I give to those who are not fit for life, is death.

The death that I give to those who dont have the fitness for life, is blessing/boon."

Overview: Naan Kadavul is more of a theme-based film, and is not wired by a strictly story-based narration. The film meanders through three subjects - Euthanasia (Mercy killing), Organised Beggary, and the Aghoris of Kasi; the compulsive and naked treatment of all the three subjects leave our hearts wanting to beat faster and forget what it just witnessed, but at same time, stay, beat slower, and slower, and slowly stop. Before watching the film, tell yourself, that you are not going to watch the poor and the pained from behind a glass pane, but you are going to be among them, you are going to share their pain; and what they are put through could be disgusting, but true.

Watch out for:

1. Humour: Trust Bala to introduce humour when you think your heart just sufferred multiple explosions. And this is no wit-crack and slap stick humour that we are used to, mind you. Humour par brilliance.
2. Arya & Pooja: This is not exactly the time in Indian filmdom when actors are content enough with romancing on screen, and counting fan mails off it. With this film, both Arya and Pooja have emerged as torch-bearers of this new crop of actors. Arya's supernatural performance, soars with the raw grandeur of his appearance. Pooja captivates in the climax.
3. Re-recording: The Isaignani and no one but the Isaignani, could have scored music for this film. It has always been a challenge to directors to match the out of the world re-recordings of Ilaiyaraaja, and Bala is one of the very few of them who can do justice to the music.
4. Om Sivoham song - Arya's introduction
5. Fight Sequences

Close your eyes when:

1. Just when you think the cruetly that was just exhibited was the last, you land kicking and writhing in another one.
2. Initial scenes involving Rudran's mother and father. They fail to act realistically and irritate at times. An interesting point to note here is that it was Bala's own brother who played the role of Rudran's father!
3. A "Nayantara" dance-sequence in the police station. Can be electrifying humour to some, but can also be obscenity to the rest.

Pointers:

1. Screen play has taken the back-seat; drags at times.
2. Photography is enchanting.
3. Dialogues are very fitting and are worth your instinctive applause.

Special Performance Mentions:

1. Villian
2. Yeli (Rat), the beggar boy

Verdict: Must see for most. Heart patients, pregnant women, excessively sensitive/sentimental people stay back at home and trust this review is just about right.