Angadi Theru (2010) ****

In these three years since the release of Veyil ,I met Vasantha Balan thrice and I tried to ask him about the Movie Angadi Theru.But he always sounded low and he always projected what he was not.Last time when I met him in “Paa “ screening, I told him about the “Kathailagai pesum “ song from Angadi Theru and I could really see his face getting brighter.He should have been very energetic about this creation.I don’t know why this movie was delayed but this movie had come in the right time for Tamil Cinema.After repeatedly hearing the movie’s songs for nearly eight months I couldn’t wait to watch the movie though I was expecting a emotional ride for two hours.I bow to Vasanthabalan’s original and brave attempt Angadi theru for its realism and sensation.

It’s a heavy walk in Angadi theru,its about two sales people who fell in love amidst the inhuman work culture and treatment at a TNagar Super store .The film is inspired from a popular TNagar store which was in news for its brutal treatment of its employees and customers.The love blossoms in a place where even speaking with Opposite sex is treated so ruthlessly. Sexual harassment,Poverty,Exploitation and the crowd of TNagar ,Movie moves forward true to the core and it just makes you feel heavy.Ends so poetically with out a compromise ,Angadi Theru is one fine movie for its splendid scripting and Razor sharp writing.

Vasanthabalan’s sincerity is totally admirable.He just puts forward a brave attempt in portraying the mores and episodes of the poor sales people of how they live and how they move around the city .In a place where survival is a mandatory with out a compromise ,emotions gets shared with true intentions also but it gets seen as a crime .Intensity runs high from the very beginning and at the beginning I felt Vasanthabalan is trying to push the emotions towards us,but in the ride I was able to see the research and home work he had done to script this.There isn’t a much of a intelligent story but the screenplay of the movie is crafted so brilliantly that it can match any of the great screenplays told before.We know which store Director is mentioning about but he has taken lots of pain and exertion to draw inspiration to bring it in celluloid.

Told in flashback Angadi theru is a much refined movie than Veyil ,it carries enormous amount of pain than Veyil.It has much darker side to portray than Veyil,Its need not be compared with Veyil but It’s a movie with some gripping moments and touching incidents.Anjali( Katrathu Tamil ) who plays Kani has had a revelation of performance ,she is totally soaked up in the character and for sure she is a actress to watch out for ,Her performance will win glory for the movie.Mahesh portrays typical sales guy ,a lover boy how he fights against his fate.Fantastic performance for a debutant.Brilliantly performed, every character has a very unique performance.

Jayamohan has penned his best work atlast in movies, societal concerned, self sympathized, verbiage which just moves your mind and heart when you are inside the hall.The scene before the interval is a classic example of the intelligent writing and direction.Music is a strength to the movie,I know many wouldn’t have heard all the songs,I recommend all the songs of the movies.One of the best in recent past.So beautifully shot and poetically performed.Camera of Richard M Nathan gives your mind a feel that you are in Renganathan street.One of the best works by all means.

Angadi theru is a movie which has lots of pain and I was prepared for the heavy ride but I didn’t expect that I would be totally moved by this creator’s work. This would go as one of the best movies in the recent past and Vasanthabalan arrives here truly than in Veyil .Go for this to watch the real life of the sales people who smiles at you when you buy a TShirt or saree. VasanthaBalan should make a light hearted movie next time.This is a wish from a fan.I know you would be reading this.

Rating : ****