‘Aridhu Aridhu’ (Tamil, Action, 2011)
Director: Madhivanan
Cast: V Harish Kalyan, Uttara, Hariraj, Abdul Hakim
In his debut film ‘Aridhu Aridhu’, scenarist-director Madhivanan, a former associate of Shankar, conveys a strong message against religious fundamentalism and global terrorism, which has led to loss of innocent lives.
The initial scenes would confuse you as to where the plot is heading. Would it be a film on a psychopath’s killing spree? Or, would it depict the complex relationship between the man and his zombie-like teenage son?
The scene then shifts from Chennai to Australia, where the son, wandering around aimlessly on the streets, is taken home by a kind-hearted girl. Hoping to reunite the teenager with his near ones, she falls for his childlike innocence. The picture becomes clearer with the entry of Abdul, who in desperate need of money, offers himself as a suicide bomber to a terrorist outfit.
Caught in a dilemma of moral guilt, Abdul chances on the youth, decides to make him the foil and achieve his mission. Harish Kalyan, of ‘Sindhu Samaveli’ fame, fits in aptly as the son, with his zombie-like movements - who can feel and comprehend, but can’t express his emotions.
Hariraj, as the mentally disturbed father who has his own demons to battle with, is impressive. And a promising find is Uttara, a blend of talent and glamour, her impromptu-style dances is a delight to watch.
The script is intriguing, and the director adopts an unconventional narrative style. More of an experimental film, it would be of interest to a discerning viewer.