Film-Poomara Kaathu
Director- Gnana Arokkyaraja
Cast- Santhosh Saravanan, Vidhush, Manisha, Meena, Manobala, Devadarshini, Singampuli,Muthukalai, Bonda Mani, Nellai Siva, O.S. Mani, Baby Shanmathi
The film chronicles the journey of Prabhu and his changing equations in his relationships as he traverses through childhood, adolescence and adulthood. Its about the lessons he learnt as he faced some harsh realities of life, family bonding
The early moments depict the childhood of Prabhu and his deep affection for Pooja his cousin, the duo inseparable. Years later he would reject her proposal of marriage, informing her that he was in love with another. The second phase, a cliched scenario, depicts Prabhu’s high school days and his falling for classmate Selvi (Manisha). Santhosh cast as the adolescent Prabhu renders a neat performance, Manisha adequate in the space given. The need to focus on studies andone’s future in touched on here through Selvi’s remarks on ronace being an unwanted distraction.
The school-episode, despite the director taking high moral ground on school-romances, has some cringe worthy moments. Where Pattu and Parandhaman (Devdarshini, Manbala), teachers at the school, exchange coy glances as they rekindle their love affair that had begun and ended during their school days. The whole flashback scenario of the duo’s romance as students- the two actors reprising their teen years too- is comedy misplaced.
As the screenplay touches its third phase in Prabhu’s journey, where he gets married to his love Jenny, it loses focus and momentum. The screenplay meanders, melodrama forced in. The whole episode (Vidhush,Meena), which depicted the desperation of the couple as they go through a financial crunch, lack depth and conviction,the emotional connect missing. And in this convoluted scenaio, one is left wondering what exactly the director had wanted to convey!
‘Poomara Kaathu’ (!20 minutes) is a case of good intention gone haywire!
Malini Mannath
Malini Mannath 