Madharasapattinam- film review

Madharasapattinam.. 

Cast
* Arya as ElamParithi
* Amy Jackson as Amy Wilkinson (Durai amma)
* Alexx O'Nell as Robert Ellis
* Nassar as Ayyakanu
* Cochin Hanifa as Nambi


Plot

         The movie  begins more like titanic with Amy Wilkinson almost in death bed in London in present and wants to come to Chennai (or madharasapattinam) to finish an unfinished work here. With then as she comes to Chennai after more than 60 years, the changes of Chennai visualises in her eyes the old pictures and the best memories of her life that she had here earlier.. With that director Vijay takes as to the past, making us stunned to move in astonishment to see the beautiful Madharasapattinam 60 years ago..

        The movie moves with a beautiful coordination between past and the present as Amy searches for Parithi, her young age lover, in this large city of Chennai with the picture that she had taken 60 years ago. Vijay does succeed in depicting the entire character of Arya (or parithi) in his first scene in movie when he stops the empty car of Commissioner Ellis that was moving backwards in a sloppy road when they all were listening on Emy's camera for a picture thus missing to notice the car moving.. There comes our hero and stops the car only to save his donkey after which he lets the car move again.. It reveals that parithi is a valorous dhobi in madharasapattinam. 


        As the movie moves, Governor of Madharasapattinam (also the father of Amy) orders the dhobis to leave their dhobikhana near then Buckingham canal as they plan to bring a golf ground in that place.. Parithi revolts against the British officials.. Amy, daughter of Madras Presidency Governor, develops an affinity towards Parithi. She is friendly and helpful. Sequence of events leaves romance blossoming between them. Parithi calls her affectionately as Duraiamma.

       Despite they facing trouble from the angry White officials, their love blossoms beautifully on each other. There comes 15 August 1947 which brings freedom to India. Duraiamma is now forced to go back to England. Parithi runs from pillar to post and fights to hold his sweetheart’s hands. But he couldn’t achieve his mission. Cut to present, Duraiamma is back in search of Parithi. Did she realise her mission forms the climax.

The movie has wonderfully picturesqued madraspatnam, the principality of the then Madras state. The picturesque of the boat ride on the Buckingham canal, which is today the dirty Cooum was extraordinary.

The song Vaama Duraiamma is very beautiful and it shows the wonders of nature in our motherlands like Elephant's blessing and snake's dance, etc. The way in which the song "Pookkal pookkum dharunam" begins is really superb. Many other songs were also touching our souls and makes to feel us inside the characters. The climax was wonderful as the director lets us see from Amy's eyes as she is about to die.


Overall, the movie is an excellent love movie.. According to Rediff review It would be another landmark in the history of Indian cinema after Slumdog Millionaire in showcasing Indian films and culture to the world. Madrasapattinam transcends the language boundaries and takes Tamil cinema to the world arena. 


PS:

            It wouldn't be nice to mention the excellent participation of the late Cochin Haneefa as nambi, a brahmin translator to the Governor's daughter. Hats off to him. Though he dies, his excellent dedicated work to art will live with us forever.