ON Kamal Haasan's Anbe Sivam(2003) Tamil movie ~ The theme of humanity on Movie/art at its best


This is one of the movies i missed during it's release like many,due to the feeling that this movie won't be interesting and entertainment factor will be less(lot of downside info like reportedly 6+ crores loss for producers at 2003 and also director didn't take salary and infact the latter director capped Sundar.C hinted that Kamal made this movie as an influence and to satisfy his intellectual associate. Indeed was in development hell briefly with Priyadarshan been replaced and also the heroine i guess) .Finally i saw this movie and was shocked to know that an Indian feature film has good quality without any artificial entertainment.To my knowledge the theme of humanity i first saw was on the 1940 feature film "The great dictator",Schlinder's List and many great movies.But this movie was striking direct on it's theme with it's relevant plot. Actor Kamalhaasan is one of the few unique distinguished film personality in India who has been making career in Indian movies right from 1961 till date.With his well developed artistic talent he has been working hard on quality right from 1987 movie Nayagan(Listed on TIME magazine as one of the great movie of the century).I would say this movie is just not another feather on his cap,but something more then that.With his singing of theme song "Anbe Sivam" on this movie would bring tears from your eyes. The scene many liked the most is anbe sivam song(we seeing that sisters humanity). The pictures i see in that song is worth thousand or no words.I have a feeling that he recovers from death to life because of love,besides opposing the selfish,fraud people in the world.Its always easy to be an god fearing person in our society for security and selfish reason.But to be an atheist,not easy.We need to fight,oppose this selfish ,dishonest society every day. There are lot of signs this movie is classic and timeless as the story is more into emotional side of humans plus life. The movie seemed to be on about love, but it ended up saying about not loved-Loneliness, which is a classic progression.

The story plot is simple,it's purely into character of Kamal and Madhavan.Madhavan and Kamal have done great job on their role.Madhavan is advertisement film maker and Kamal is communist theatre actor,with artistic talent and simple human whose life is entirely an example of humanity. Example for his humanity is that he raises the dog which was the reason behind his disastrous accident and shattered his life.Beauty of forgiveness is well explained there.Especially the acting of dog(especially in climax) is upto the point which indeed shows the perfection of work and when kamal says pozhachu ponga it looks like he told the same for his opposer who did politics against him and anti-Kamalians. And not to miss mentioning is actor Nasser performance, especially when he says "sethu po" will be all time best hardcore villian dailague, infact i watch this when i am let down by life and my life's people to get empowered to live well and confidently against the oppositions of life.I guess all the movie after apoorva sakoradharargal by Kamal is been directed by himself(may be except director Shankar i guess) and his directors are always Assistant/Associate director. This mention is not to take away credit of the director and let them down but it shows kamal's command on creativity(the favourite term Aalumai-word often used by director Balumahedra often). Infact my interest in movie was in because of this movie and for many i guess, as director Bala even stated his Naan Kaduval and the title indeed inspired from this movie. Especially this movie is medicine for people who are wounded by inhumanity and loneliness.

The only boring part of this movie is insertion of communism(propaganda tone is indeed inevitable), which might be the influence of Movie genius Chaplin and Tamil writer Jayakanthan. Journalist/Writer/Cartoonist Madhan has done a great job in dailagues, as he is one of the original, knowledgeable creative person in Tamil Nadu. I wish he collaborates again with Kamal. My fav lines below:

"mobile sarsu sarsu vanthute eruku sir"

"sollana.. kucham,ithana kadhala asingama solinde irukarduku.you should understand man".

"Neengal yen meedhu vaithirikum anbu veen poga kudadu,adhayam ungal thirumadhi edame kuduthu vidugal".

 On the downside the film is more of a character drama, missing wholesome entertainment/theme which strikes our heart easy and cool.. The tone of self pity and sentiment is over the top, but still everybody has to go through these in life, so no complaints. The Tsunami word used in the movie was picked up by Kamal after getting an invitation from Gollapudi Maruthi Rao(Telugu film producer/Director who acted in cameo on 2000 film Hey Ram) to institute an award in his sons name who lost his life in Tsunami while shooting for Telugu film Prema Pusthakam (1993 Telegu movie- actor Ajith's first movie). This usage turned out to be a sensation as Dec26-2014 seen real Tsunami in Tamilnadu (Film released on Jan-2003). Overall i would rate this film to be excellent due to its quality. Eternal theme of Humanity on art at it's best

Comments

MyNameIsIndia said…
Excellent review..Ur review completely reflected my thoughts on this movie..This movie cud ve bcum a hit had the the flashback part been more entertainin..Still one of the very rare indian movies that makes ppl think..But wat do u think is the reason for its lukewarm response in box-office?
Anonymous said…
dear raj,

i'm very happy that u realized the essence in this movie but i think you should not edit Lord Shiva's face to kamal's... Hinduism believes in the formless, odorless, colorless almighty... but beyond that, thirumular mentioned God did take a form out of his magnanimity and love towards his devotees. So i think we should have the highest respect towards him and of course love. this pic looks like u are seeing kamal as the God and it suggests to people that we can do anything to our very own religion which should not be the way.
My apologies if I said something wrong. And yeah again its your personal blog and you have all the rights to post your thoughts. I just wanna share some things to you.
Thanks!!
Thanks for your comment.Nothing serious about God stuff i meant based on that photo,just a interesting photo.May be i thought ppl who show love are equal to god and his charceter in the movie is so,hence the photo..Its danger to follow film actor and saints or any celebrities personally and raise them so much.They are just humans and their attention is only for their work,which we have to acknowledge..

Popular posts from this blog

#home Malayalam movie review

ON Self Knowledge Philosopher Jiddu Krishnamurti - Why JK repeats?(On my spiritual guru

ON Tamil Writer Balakumaran - The man who knew too much on spirituality