Meiyazhagan

 "Meiyazhagan" is a family story with no sex or violence.  Unfortunately families sometimes fall out and hard feelings sometimes last a long time.  

At the beginning we see a younger version of Aural  leaving his home after some sort of dispute which he felt he had lost.  We know it had something to do with house ownership and he felt he had unfairly lost.  Soon we are sent forward 22 years and we see an older Aural in another city with his wife and explaining why he feels he should attend a wedding, but doesn't intend to stick around.  

Then he is greeted by an unknown man.  This unknown man claims to know Aural from childhood, but Aural cannot not name or place him.  A lot of conversations, but Aural keeps trying to break away.  The unknown man is persistent and tricks Aural into staying overnight.  Aural does change, but you will have to wait until the end to learn the identity of the unknown man

Attitudes gained from harsh experiences are not easily changed.  The process is not particularly noticed.

The title, Meiyazhagan means man with truth as beauty in Tamil.

C. Prem  Kumar was the director and writer.  He started his film career as a cinematographer where he earned 6 credits and he now has 3 credits for directing and 3 credits for writing (the 3 same films).  His credits included " 96" (2018) and "Jaanu" (2020).   A film critic Baradwaj Rangan noted an encouraging similarity between the two Tamil films.  He felt both stories had a traumatized lead character who met the other lead character and after long conversations the trauma was resolved.  Baradwaj felt the plots were therapeutic.

 Jyotika and her husband Suriya were the producers.  Jyotika has performed in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Hindi films.  She has 50 acting credits including "Raatchasi" (2019), "Thambi" (2019) "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020) and "Srikanth" (2024).  She has been a producer for 6 films.  For her acting check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/raatchasi.html  For her producing check where she was heavily involved with my top overall film for 2021, "Jai Bhim"   See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

Govind Vasantha composed the music.  He also sings and plays the violin.  He was a founder of the band Thaikkum Bridge.  He has 41 credits for composing and 14 for the music department including "Solo" (2017), "Thambi" (2019), "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020),  "Jaanu" (2020) and "Soorari Pottru" (2020)

Mahedran Jayaraju was the cinematographer.  He has 6 cinematography credits including "Jaanu" (2020).

 R. Govindaraj was the editor with 9 editing credits.

Karthi played the unknown man.  He earned a Master of Engineering degree and then went to the University  Binghampton in the U.S. to earn a Master of Science in Industrial Engineering where he also attended some lectures on film.  Soon he used family connections to get into film back in India.  He has 30 acting credits, 2 for the Music Department and 1 for Assistant Directing including "Thambi" (2019), "Ponnlyn Selvan, Part 1" (2022) and "Ponnlyn Selvan, Part 2" (2024) and "Annapoormi" (2023).

Arvind Swamy played Arul.  After an education in India he went to Wake Forest University in North Carolina for a Master degree in international business while he was active in overlapping with his film career.  He had a serious injury and took years off from acting, coming back in 2013.  He has been a playback singer and a dubber (in Tamil).   Arvind has 34 acting credits including "Roja" (1992), "Bombay" (1995) "Kadal" (2013) and "IC 814:  Kandahar Hijack" (2024).  "Kadal" has a song by A.R. Rahman that is number one in my collection.  see http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2024/09/ic-814-kandahar-hijack.html

Sri  Divya  plays Nandhini, the wife of the unknown man.  Her first experience in films was as a 3 year old on a children's movie.  She has 24 acting credits including "Jana Gana Mana" ((2022).  see                http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/06/jana-gana-muna.html

Devadarshini plays Hema, the wife of Arul.  While in college she anchored some television shows.  She has 82 acting credits including "Enthiran" (2010), "Eega" (2012) and "Mersal" (2017).

Available on Netflix with subtitles.  If you appreciate family dynamics this is a must.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.  They are not necessarily a recommendation, but generally I found them worthy of my time.  If you follow the links you should be able to determine if a particular film is worth following up.

Two Films About Overcoming Blindness

 

 The name" Srikanth" (2024) was a famous cricket player and when a father was first informed he had a new son he picked the name Srikanth.  Soon he learned his son was blind and felt the most compassionate thing would be to let his son die.  His wife prevented him.  Most blind people survive through begging.  This new Srikanth was fortunate that he was able to receive support.  He was sent to a school for the blind at Hyderabad, but was kicked out.  With the help of a teacher he contested in court his right to a regular science course.  He then gets accepted at M.I. T.  

As a true story he is inspiring in how he over comes problems.  His transition to a successful business career was not smooth and at some points he has to overcome his pride and overconfidence. 

At the closing credits you can see the real Srikanth and the real Ravi as they meet their film counterparts.  You can also see a photo of the wedding with Swathi and Srikanth and of his first child.

Tusher Hiranandani was the director.  He has 21 writing credits, 3 directing credits and 2 for additional crew including  "Attihi Tum Kab Jab Koagi" (2010), "The Villain" (2014) and "Half Girlfriend" (2017). 

Jagdeep Sidhu and Sumit Parohit wrote the script.

Bhushan Kumar was a producer.  At age 19 his father died and he took over the music business turning it into a major force.  Then he got involved with films leading up to 180 film credits including "Hindi Medium" (2017), "Kabir Singh" (2019), "Chandigarh Kare Ashiqui" (2021), "Drishyam 2" (2022) and "Bheed" (2023).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/arjun-reddy-and-kabir-singh.html

Ishaan Chhabra provided the background score. He has 28 composing credits, 5 for the  Music Department  and 3 for the  Sound Department including   "The Hundred Foot Journey" (2014),  "Jana Mana Gana" (2020) and ""She" (2020).

 Pratham Mehta was the cinemtographer.  He has 33 cinematography credits, 13 for the Camera and Electrical Department and 2 for the Editorial Department.

"Sanjay Sukla was the editor.  He has 103 credits as editor, 6 for the Editorial Department and 2 as producer.  Kuch Kuch Hota Hai" (1998),  "Kabhi Khushi Kabhe Gham" (2001), "Kal Ho Naa Ho" (2003) and "Kabhi Alvida Naa Kehna" (2006).

 Rajkummar Rao played Srikanth and is very effective as a blind man..  He acted in two theatrical groups before heading to the films.  He has been on a streak of films including "Shaitan" (2011), "Shahid" (2012), "Talaash" (2012), "Kai Po Che" (2013), "Queen" (2013), "Hamari Adhuri Kahani" (2015), "Trapped" (2016), "Bareilly Ki Barfi" (2017), "Stree" (2018), "Made in China" (2019), "Ludo" (2020), "White Tiger" (2021) and "Badaai Do" (2022).  check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/03/badhaai-do-lgbt-film-from-conservative.html

Jyotika (or Jyothika) has performed in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Hindi films.  She has 50 acting credits including "Raatchasi" (2019), "Thambi" (2019) and "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020).  She has been a producer for 6 films.  For her acting check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/raatchasi.html  For her producing check where she was heavily involved with my top overall film for 2021."Jai Bhim" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

 Sharad Kelkar plays Ravi, a key financial investor.  He has 59 acting credits ad 2 for producing including "Rustom" (2018). 

Alaya F played Swathi, the romantic interest.  She has a diploma from the New York Film Academy and has trained in Kathak and contemporary dance.  She has 10 acting credits, 1 for writing and 1 for cinematography. 

This film is available subtitled (with much English dialogue) on Netflix.

"Ray" (2004) was about Ray Charles who I once watched at the Canadian National Exhibition.  He was diverse in a revolutionary sense.  One of the fascinating things was how he was able to maintain independence despite blindness.  He attributed it to his mother.  He did not use a cane.

How he figured out if a female was open or not answered an unspoken question of mine.  He had systems to avoid being cheated on money, and how to wear suitable clothing.

At first his music copied established performers, then he developed his own style but eventually he ventured into rock and country and proved he was a winner, despite many doubters.  He did have drug problems, but was able to overcome them. 

Jamie Foxx won an Oscar for his portrayal.

I watched it on a PVR copy.

Want more inspiration check:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2013/10/paralyzed-men-in-4-foreign-movies.html

Both films had interesting plots, provided by two interesting biographies, but for me what held my attention was how these men dealt with the loss of sight.

Kaatha--The Core

 "Kaatha--The Core" (2023) is one of the more delicate stories I have ever seen.  Lots of films these days cover homosexuality and many convey the agonies of hiding one's true self.  This takes a little different perspective.It might seem a bit like "Maestro" (2023) which I have not yet seen.  But it is not bombastic and a lot more dignified.  You might think Indians are not as civilized as us, but this film shows otherwise. 

We are introduced to Mathew and Omana, a well respected couple in their community.  They live with his father while their daughter is away at a nearby college. 

Mathew was well regarded and is asked to be a candidate for an upcoming by-election in fact they won't consider anyone else.  Even as his wife is divorcing him and revealing embarrassing information.  She had already set the divorce proceedings into action. It might seem strange, but all through the proceedings they continued to sleep together.  They even went to the court together.  She didn't want him to give up his candidacy.  

An interesting sidelight was with the supposed homosexual partner who was a driving instructor.  He claimed that he had received a lot of calls from fathers who felt he was a safe choice as a driving instructor for their daughters.

The whole community was more accepting of Mathew, but for most it was an adjustment.  They all admired him and his wife.  Some prided themselves as progressive while others admitted they were more traditional.  Silence is strikingly used to demonstrate thought.

The court case was interesting in itself, but I leave that and the followup for you to check out.  

The film was very professionally done as you might better appreciate when you read about some of the contributors.

Mammootty who played Mathew was also one of the producers.  He is one of the most popular and talented of Malayalam film people.  He is actually the only actor who has been the lead in six different languages:  Malayalam, Tamil, Telegu, Hindi, Kannanda and English.  Altogether he has 425 acting credits, 10 as a producer and 8 as a playback singer.   His film credits include "Bhoothakkannadi" (1997), "Karutha Pakshikal" (2006), "Kerala Varma Pazhassiraja" (2009), "Varsham" (2014), "Pathemari" (2015) and my top overall film seen in 2020, "Peranbu" (2018).  See   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/peranbu-top-film-out-of-india.html

Jeo George was the director who had earlier been involved with writing tv sitcom scripts.  He has 12 acting credits, 7 directing credits and 7 writing credits.  One credit (in all 3 categories) was "Kilometers and Kilometers" (2020).  He has won awards at international film festivals.

Adarsh Sukumaran was one of the writers. He has 3 writing credits, two as actor and one as playback singer.

Mathews Pulickan composed the music.  He has 8 credits for composing. The music is described as soulful.

Salu K. Thomas the cinematographer has nine film credits.

Francies Louis was the editor.  He learned editing working while working on some shorts he had written.  He also gained experience editing advertisements.  He has 5 editing credits including "Kilometers and Kilometers" (2020).

Jyotika (or Jyothika) played Omana.   She has performed in Tamil, Telegu, Malayalam and Hindi films.  She has 50 acting credits including "Raatchasi" (2019), "Thambi" (2019) and "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020).  She has been a producer for 6 films.  For her acting check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/raatchasi.html  For her producing check where she was heavily involved with my top overall film for 2021."Jai Bhim" (2021).  See http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

Sudhi Kozhikode played Thankan the alleged partner. He has two film credits  including "Virus" (2019).

RS Panickar  plays Mathew's father.  This was the film debut at the age of 72.  His role is critical although he doesn't say much.  He knew his son was gay at an early age and thought a marriage would help smooth over the situation but came to regret that decision.  Omana stated at one point she tolerated her unhappy arrangement because of him.  RS Panickar was a retired University Joint Registrar.

Mathumani played the lawyer for Mathew.  She has 45 credits including "Kilometers and Kilometers" (2020), "Kaaval" (2021) and "Night Drive" (2022).

Chinnu Chandni Nair played the lawyer for Omana.  In her early grades she spent time in Tanzania with her parents and developed an interest in theater while there.  Her parents took her back to India for high school.  She has 7 film credits.

This film may seem boring to some, but it deals subtlety with a situation that societies all over world are adapting to.  Homosexuality has been something that was hidden, often in films, a subject for blackmail.  Giving new rights people, both straight and gay are adapting generally in a tolerant direction.  For part of my adjustment see  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2015/05/sex-in-classroom.html the fourth paragraph.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.

Raatchasi

One thing that promotes equality is education.  That is if everyone gets quality education. that is still an ideal that many are struggling to achieve.  "Raatchasi" (2019) focuses on a group of people who have to fight against vested interests.  Partly it is a private school system but also partly it is complacency.  

The existing teacher staff has become lazy and allowed their knowledge and skills to atrophy.  The drop out rate is large with many quitting as soon as old enough.  The new headmistress, Geetha is determined to change that, but over the course of the film she encounters resistance.  She found an English teacher who couldn't speak English, a math teacher who didn't understand about computers, a history teacher who didn't understand purpose was to not repeat mistakes.  She felt arts and sports were important and motivating.

Recognizing money is a big part of the problem, one of her tools is to charge up fundraising.   The private school owner, Ramalingam, feels it is in his best interest to tamp down any government revenue going to their school system.  He senses Geetha is making progress and sends some goons to curtail her, but are surprised to learn she is a skilled fighter.  She is not only smart, but understanding and eventually gains the support of the staff and parents, but not before overcoming many obstacles.

Director was Sy Gowthamraj, written by Bharathi Thambi and produced by S.R. Prabhu and S.R. Prakashbabu who also produced  "Taanakkaran" (2022).  One comment when school budget challenged by the police budget was that education lessens the need for the police.   Check:   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2022/04/taanakkaran-colonial-police-legacy.html

Music by Sean Roldan who did "Jai Bhim" (2021)--see below.  Also composed for "Mehandi Circus" (2019).

Cinematography by Gokul Benoy.

Editor Philomin Raj who also did "Jai Bhim"  Mehandi Circus" (2019) and "Mandela" (2021) .  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/04/mandela-tamil-satire-with-apt.html

Joythika played the heaadmistress Geetha and won an award for the role.  Other films include "Thambi" (2019) and with her husband, Suriyv she produced one of the highest ever IMDB rated films "Jai Bhim"  Check   http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2021/11/jai-bhim.html

 Hareesh Peradi played Ramalingam, the private school owner, a not very likable character.  Hareesh has been in both the Malayalam and Tamil films industries.  His movies include "Pulimurugan" (2016), "Vikram Vedha" (2017), "Mersal" (2017) and "Thambi" (2019).

The world is better off the more education can be spread around.  Trump once commended the "poorly educated" for their support.

As usual I have bolded the first mention of films I have seen.

Jai Bhim

 Rating services are used to help us viewers decide where to spend our money or our time.  Some of us pride ourselves on ignoring them.  Well I am not one of them and am impressed with the very high ones although sometimes disappointed.  "Jai Bhim" (2021) has an IMDB rating higher than "The Shawshank Redemption" (1994) and I got my hopes up.  Good news, it deserves its rating and is available on Prime.  Last year my top film was also a Tamil one, "Peranbu"(2020):  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2020/03/peranbu-top-film-out-of-india.html      

The adjective that most comes to mind is "powerful."  Throughout the film the main characters are referred to as tribal or Dalit (Untouchables). At first the script did resemble a folk tale, however it just set up the story.  Shocking to my western sensibilities was that they were shown hunting and preparing to eat rats.  Rasakunnu, a Dalit was called away from heavy labor to catch a snake that had intruded into an upper middle class home.  It was fascinating how he subdued the cobra like snake and when he prepared to release it he explained that they helped keep rats under control.  This experience was the basis for him later being accused of stealing jewelry.  The lady of the house couldn't find her jewelry and quickly the low caste snake catcher was the prime suspect.

He had left to do some work, but his wife and daughter were snatched in the middle of the night to be brutally questioned as to his whereabouts.  He was found and also brutally tortured and we later learned he never confessed.  Then I admit to some confusion as he disappeared from the story, but, we heard that he had escaped with two others and nobody could find him.  His pregnant wife with help from a village teacher sought help, but met rejections.  She finally found a crusading lawyer, Chandru (based on a real life character) who insisted she must tell him the truth.  The evidence as he first learned it was was very imposing with witnesses, and finger prints and more incriminating evidence would be brought forth.  What is discouraging is the legal establishment is very dismissive of his case.  Chandru had little regard for police and is able to disprove much.  However it turns out his client was caught in a lie and he is very fed up and plans to drop the case.  The teacher confesses it was her idea to with hold some evidence.  The lawyer follows up the new information with a long distance rail trip and it turns out to be a turning point.

There are no end of obstacles.  Corruption and brutality are big factors.  The police at one stage are concerned that their reputation is being sullied.  At one point the lawyer does work with a high police officer to show that many false confessions  are resulted from torture.  The torture is often to cover up corruption and pressure from higher ups.  India, like many other nations still suffers human injustices, but has come a long way. and this case would seem to have been a step in the right direction.  Check out an earlier blog on torture and its effects on the rest of us:  http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2014/12/torture.html

Of all the films I can recall this one has the most realistic dead body.  Dead bodies just generally lie there, with some sort of distortion, not breathing on camera, but pretty much like any other.  There was some sort of doubt whether this body was really dead.  Another body was revealed not to be dead by poring some chilies in his eyes.  However the second body which was shown closeup to the eye did not flinch.  I am sure it really wasn't chilies, but it was very realistic.

Another film from India about human rights was "Article 15" (2019).  Check http://www.therealjohndavidson.com/2019/09/article-15.html

Films like this are not flukes.  Here are some short bits on some of the contributors.  Hopefully this will not be the only chance to view their work.

T. J. Gnanaval is the director and writer.  This is only his fourth script and his second directed film.

Jyothika, one of two producers, has a long career as an actress.   She started film acting in 1998, including  "Thambi" (2019) and "Ponmagal Vandhal" (2020) winning some national awards along the way.  "Jai Bhim" is her fourth as a producer.  Married to Suriya--see below.

Sean Roldan wrote the music.  He had developed a reputation for Carnatic music.  His birth name, Raghavendra Raj Rao comes from a family with a strong reputation with classical Indian music and wanted to break with the association.  In 2011 he picked Sean as a shortened version of Saniyam his maternal grandfather, a well known Tamil writer and grabbed Roldan from a Google search.   He started both playback singing and composing for films in 2014.  Much of the background music was performed by the Grand Philharmonic Orchestra in London.

Cinematography was handled by S. R. Kathir and was edited by Philoman Raj.

Suriya played the lawyer Chandru.  He made his first film, "Nerrukku Ner" (1997) produced by Mani Ratnam who gave him his stage name.  He started hits by 2002 and achieving national awards.  He was the original "Ghajini" (2005), a Tamil role later made famous by Bollywood star Aamir Khan.  He also starred in  "24"(2018) and " Soorarai Pottru" (2020) which was one of my top movies for last year.  He has produced 15 films to date with more scheduled.  He is married to Jyotika (see above) and they had been involved together with numerous films, including this one as Suriya joined his wife as producer.  Copying his father, he started the Agaram Foundation to provide funds for education in Tamil Nadu.  He has also helped the education of Sri Lankan Tamil students.  Another project of his is saving tigers.

Lijo Mol Jose played Senggeni, the wife of Raskannu.  This is her 10th movie having done movies in Tamil, Telegu and Malayalam.

Manikandan plays the unfortunate Raskannu, had done 9 previous films including "Vikram Vedha" (2017).  He also has written scripts including  "Vikram Vedha" and "Thambi" (2019).

Rajisha Vijayan played the teacher, Maithra who assisted Senggeni in her legal strategies.  She has mostly been in Maylayalam films including "June" (2019).

"Jai Bhim" was separately filmed in three languages.  Understand often the same scene is re shot in a different language.  In some cases different actors might be used.  I watched the Tamil version.

If you are too westernized you might find parts a bit too folksy and others may find it too long.  However if you like movies to make a point it really is a very powerful.

As usual I like to bolden first mention of movies I have seen.  Partly vanity, but also to assure you a familiarity with the cast and crew.