Kasthuriman Movie Review

I almost lost hope in Thamizh cinema (after watching Sivakasi and Maja), and then I saw Kasthuriman. I love Thamizh cinema all over again now! The movie is not perfect, but the film makers have made a commendable effort at good cinema.

Meera Jasmine and Prasanna are at loggerheads for a while, and then ofcourse become friends and fall in love. Meera initially appears to be a frivolous rich kid, but actually has a gazillion problems of her own. She and her mom live with her sister and her abusive husband. The sis's husband also wants to marry Meera, who tries to play the juggling act between warding off his advances, while keeping her sister's family peace intact.

Meera Jasmine is portrayed as the new pudhumai penn - She works as a day nurse, caring for elderly people and supports her sister's family, pays her way through college, and also pays for her boyfriend's IAS education and his dad's hospital bills. I was really impressed with this. Remember the days when the hero will tell the heroine "you sit at home, naa mootai thookiyavadhu unna kaapatharen"? Even today, 99% of Thamizh movies portray young women merely as brides-in-waiting, sitting at home while their annas and appas keep pushing themselves further into debt as they find a nalla mapillai. Things have changed so much in society these days - women are independent and confident, and many good men are no longer insecure and egoistic. Finally, a thamizh movie has mirrored this. Way to go!

Lohith Das (the director) has done a good job in keeping the pace of the movie entertaining, without the need for any "glamour" songs or audience pleasing stunts. Prasanna is dignified and sincere. Meera Jasmine's performance is very good - she portrays strength and vulnerability equally convincingly.

The one thing that I found extremely disturbing was Vinodhini's (Meera's sister) willingness to continue to live with her husband - she knows he is abusive, and she knows he is after her sister. She still wants to live with him? I just did not get this. She is not even financially dependent on her husband, as her sister is supporting the family. Kallaanaalum kanavan i agree, but, Kanavan pondati thalaila kalla thooki potta? appo kooda pullaanalum purushan?

The movie's climax disappoints. Throughout the movie, Meera Jasmine is strong and fearless. However, when her brother in law is beating her sister, she just meekly cries and feebly tugs at his sleeve saying "please dont do this". Her actions after this scene also did not make much sense. I have a question, but if i write that here, i will be giving away the movie ending.

So, go ahead, watch the movie. Support good thamizh cinema!