Paava Kadhaigal ; Kalidas Jayram just floors you

 

 At last Pava Kadhaigal ,the anthology  is something that Tamil Film buffs can say that it does justice to the medium. A common thread – caste pride that still exists in the elder generation based in the rural milieu and to the extent that they go to keep to keep the status quo  is shown through  the directors view point .

Every time an anthology by some big names of Tamil directors comes, we  scratch our head and wonder what happened to these creators. We felt that these creators were conning the OTT with some pseudo stuff to make up for income deficit during lock down.  Now this anthology tackles a deep rooted issue which is told in a crisp and clutter free way.

Actors like Sai Pallavi and  Kalidas Jayram  in roles that we have not seen before and the powerhouse performances that they give is one big plus  since they have known proven actors like Prakashraj – Simran-Anjali- Kalki Kochlin to keep them company .

Let’s take Vignesh Sivan directed short. He takes the humorous look at the whole caste honor killing which includes the accused girl doing  a  lesbian act with her girl friend to prove that she is not in love with a lower caste boy. The funny end with a rap song add to the mirth that completes the picture. The actor who played the Dwarf uncle is a surprise packet. Many may ask as to how a twin sister look alike within a few hours of the cremation of her sister happily join a rap song . Well that the way some react.

Two directors who are handling the genre that is new for them is GVM and Sudha Kongara. Gautam Menon handles a full length role along with Simran . Though the acting part leaves much to be desired since he is doing a small town office employee but his city slicker walk and dialogue delivery clash. The director in him has touched upon many finer details like Simran who does not want the plastic covers on the car seats to be removed as she feels it keeps the seat untouched as a statement  about her character .  We get a quick passing shot to the subject that Vteri Maaran handles in later episode. The film is no doubt an eye opener to GVM fans as  he shows that he more than just the King of Romance.

Sudha handling the subject of a Muslim transgender rural youth who pays  with his life to see his friend ( whom he secretly loved) happy is one great art of balancing a difficult character in a new terrain without getting into over doing it or messing it up with sympathies and lip service. Kalidas performance has been kept to the right level as to not make it a cinematic caricature. Shantanu just fits the bill. The  fleshing out the key players is done quickly and moves to the narration helps it keep engrossed.

Vetri Maaran who is at home with such topics and with a Prakashraj – Sai Pallavi as actors, does deliver what one expects but then many would feel cheated that he did not come up with something that is different .Many felt that it is Kaadhal core subject that is given a new treatment- the non linear approach. It is like you expect GVM to be the best in an anthology of love subjects and Vetri Maaran in a social issue related anthology.

Technically all the four shorts are above par. The music is quite related to the subject but it does act as a speed breaker. Verdict - No doubt the best Tamil anthology to come on OTT.