Taramani Tamil Movie

Feature Film | 2017 | Drama, Romantic
Critics:
Audience:
The movie had nothing new in terms of content, but the narrative was interesting and Ram's satirical intrusions made the going come alive.
Aug 13, 2017 By Baranidharan Sivasankaran


Another film that was long in the making finally saw the light of the day, thanks to the perseverance of director Ram and his team.


Director Ram, who happens to celebrate a decade in Kollywood as a director has made just 3 films, including Taramani. In that respect, he is following the footsteps of his mentor, Balu Mahendra or it may be due to his rebellion against the "commonly accepted" social stigma which is keeping him away from voicing his opinions aloud through his movies. In any case, Ram as an individual is much more interesting than as a director.


Delving into Taramani, which carries an 'A' certificate for reasons unknown, is less of a film than a rant from the director on various social stigmas that we as a society have been subjected to, time and again. Though the story is centred around the cliched 'love and hate' relationship between Prabhunath (Vasanth Ravi) and Althiya (Andrea), the director intersperses the narrative with his satirical take on society with his voiceover at so many critical junctures that makes one laugh at the moment and then realize the irony.


The movie, however, had Ram's eccentricity imbibed into the characters, especially through Prabhunath, the protagonist, who was portrayed as a male chauvinist, constantly nagging his partner, Althiya, who feels independent and self-liberated with a high paying job and the ability to take on men's ego all by herself.


The sort of eccentricity that Ram brings forth was cinematic and does more harm for the film than to the characters. One of the few areas where it worked was during the climax portion where a cop's wife pours out her suppressed feelings as an unstoppable outburst towards her wicked husband when he suspects her for adultery. But at other times it was more of an irritant.


The characters were solid and none of the men or women who walked the screen felt insignificant. Vasanth Ravi has made a promising debut, while Andrea was in her own elements as the Anglo-Indian single mother with a sour past. Special accolades to Azhagam Perumal whose role as a 'guardian angel' for the protagonist was coated with the fervid 'Nellai' accent. Watching him perform was like sipping a hot cup of tea during rains. He brings another emotional angle towards the climax, giving a boost for the sagging screenplay.


Yuvan's rapport with Ram is well known. Especially, his last outing with Ram in 'Thanga Meengal' was praiseworthy. In Taramani, we get some glimpses of his brilliance, but on the whole, it was average. He needs to wake up from the slumber with a bang. Sreekar Prasad's editing gave a classy feel for the movie. However, the second half could have been spared off of unwanted melodrama.


The movie had nothing new in terms of content, but the narrative was interesting and Ram's satirical intrusions made the going come alive. I am waiting for a mainstream political satire in the lines of 'Joker' from director Ram, who has an interesting take on anything social and political. I am sure his non-diplomatic stand would aid such films than the ones on cliched relationships!

Baranidharan Sivasankaran

   

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