Film: Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer
Cast: Santosh Ramesh, Manisha Yadav, Arjun, Archana, Thulasi, Poornima Bhagyaraj
Director: Suseenthiran
Films that delve into relevant issues are rare on Tamil screen. And the ones that depict them in a realistic form, sans cliché, melodrama or commercial trappings, are rarer. Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer comes as a breath of fresh air. Clear and focused in its screenplay, it is sensitive in handling the issue of premarital sex and teen pregnancy. Brilliantly narrated by Suseenthiran, it capsules a relevant issue in just 106 minutes.
The film opens as a college campus love story. The early part is breezy, the scenes having a smooth flow. The costumes and make-up are natural, the campus ambience having the right feel. Debutant Santosh (son of film producer Ramesh Babu) with his boy-next door-looks, fits in suitably as Kartik. Essaying Shweta is Manisha (of Vazhakku Enn 18/9) who brings out the confusion and helplessness of the character adequately. Their friends are a contrast here. Kartik’s supportive buddy (Arjun of Kadhalil Sodhappuvadhu Eppadi) gives him tips to woo Shweta. Shweta’s friend Jenny (debutant Archana) is against the affair, playing a spoil sport. The duo leaves their mark, pepping up the early part with their spontaneity. The lines are well written and meaningful.
Shweta’s discovery of her pregnancy and the course the love affair takes, are depicted with conviction. It touches up on the unfortunate consequences when youngsters go for instant gratification of their desire without a thought about the consequences. The director crafts these moments with insight, and an element of unpredictability. The impact on the lovers due to family pressure, their confusion and ego problems are convincing.
But mercifully there is no preaching, moralising or melodrama. Thulasi (playing Shweta’s mother) etches her role well, especially in the scene when she discovers her daughter’s pregnancy and tells her husband (Jayaprakash) about it.
Poornima, however, in her comeback role as Kartik’s mother, has very little to do.
Balanced and realistic are the scenes where the two families meet and discuss the issue. At one point,when Kartik’s thuggish aggressive uncle is brought into the story, we tend to think that the director would use the easy way of violence to solve the issue. But fortunately it doesn’t happen that way. Yuvan Shankar Raja’s background score is a key strength to the film.
Towards the end, the irony of it all cannot be missed and it reminds one of Rattinam here. The crucial issue that had given heartburn to the couple and their families, lies forgotten, orphaned and abandoned. Like the little boy in the finale, on whom the camera lingers, an epitome of the harsh stark reality of life. The heart wrenching climax is sure to touch an emotional chord. Aadhalal Kadhal Seiveer is an experience not to be missed.