'Maithanam' (Tamil)
Director: MS Sakthivel
Cast: Suresh Guru, Jyothi Raj, Sekhar, Kennedy, Swastika and others
'Maithanam', Sakthivel’s directorial debut, stars four assistant directors in leading roles. The film is set in a little suburban town and revolves around the life of four friends and how their relationship changes when one of them loses his sister. Sakthivel, who has penned the script too, reveals a great understanding of the medium. Steering clear of clichés, he moves his story through paths unforeseen and unexpected. The director has relied on his plot and storytelling, rather than big names and stylish gimmicks.
The film follows the life of four friends — Suku, Logu, Shekhar and Sury — who hail from lower middle class families. It opens in Suku’s (Sureshguru) house, where the friends are watching a cricket match on TV and Suku’s sister, Shanti (Swasika, apt for the role), is passing them snacks.
The lower middle class ambience and the comfort level that Suku’s friends share with his family, are realistically portrayed. Shanti’s romantic inclination towards the reticent Logu (Jotiraj), is evident in the sly glances she flashes at him.
Sakthivel, at a later stage, takes us back to the same scene, and reveals more about this moment than the first time. This method has been effectively used by the director.
Midway through the film, the director introduces the twist in the tale, when Shanti, who gets engaged to her cousin, goes missing just days before her wedding. The element of suspense is maintained all through, as Suku and friends subtly enquire about her at her friends’ places and around the neighbourhood.
The family, worried about how the incident could affect their girl’s future, decides to handle the situation quietly. The middle class mindset and the fear of dishonour to the family, are portrayed convincingly.
The mystery of the missing girl is unraveled in an interesting and startling way. The actors too essay their roles well; the characters weaved around them are finely etched.
Pointworthy roles include those of Shekhar’s grim grandmother, his mentally challenged brother and Logu’s worried parents, who send him to a relative’s place, till matters are resolved.
The director lets the actors be in the periphery and brings them in whenever their presence becomes relevant to the story. Some of the later reactions at Suku’s household come across as a tad melodramatic.
While there are friends who are sincere in upholding the sanctity of their relationship, there are others who step into it with ulterior motives. It’s for us to separate the chaff from the grain — the director’s message is loud and clear.
This engaging tale of friendship, trust and betrayal by Sakthivel, has a befitting ending. With a viewing time of just about two hours, 'Maithanam' is worth a watch.