He has a penchant for making children-centric films that are insightful and entertaining. And he also has that rare knack of extracting effortless performances from his child actors. Pandiraj after Pasanga (2009) and Marina (2012), is back with his third flick — and this time too, its all about children. Pasanga-2 has all that one would have expected from a Pandiraj-flick and is a rewarding experience.
Through its two protagonists Kavin and Naina (Vaishnavi, Nishesh) the director takes up the issue of Attention Deficit Hyperactive Disorder (ADHD). A disorder where children have difficulty focusing, frequently switching from one activity to another. All of which, leads to poor academic performance and inadequate social skills. How parents force discipline on children and push them to conform to socially-accepted norms of behaviour, damaging their self- esteem in the bargain, is brought out effectively.
Pandiraj has done his homework well. The screenplay is crafted with sensitivity and understanding, the narrative style simple. The early scenes depict the mischievous behaviour and activities of the two children, both hailing from affluent families. The complaints by their respective teachers and the distress caused to the parents are portrayed in a manner that are both serious and amusing.
Karthik Kumar as Naina’s father displays some splendid expressions. Like the scene where he watches with embarrassment, his daughter’s act in front of the guests. Ramdoss provides the comic element with his ‘kleptomanic’ acts. The scenes of interaction between the parents and their respective child has a natural flow. Forced to switch schools and residences, the two kids would soon find themselves in the same apartment block and later in the same school hostel. Ganging up together, they would become the bane of their neighbours and an embarrassment to their parents.
Debutantes Nishesh and Vaishnavi as Kavin and Naina are adorable. Naina’s story-telling at an inter-school competition is an emotional moment and would get her the claps. Arrol Corella’s music is inspiring enhancing the mood. While Balasubramaniem’s camera avoiding the fancy trappings captures the right feel. The film in its roughly 127 minutes of viewing time does have a couple of glitches. Like the slackening moments in the hostel, where Naina conjures up imaginary ghosts to scare the kids and the warden.
Surya enters the story much later as Thamizh, a child psychiatrist. And it’s through his character that we learn more about ADHD and how such children are misunderstood by society. Oozing charm with Amala Paul playing his wife, the duo essay the ideal couple and understanding parents with panache. Thankfully the director has avoided use of medical jargon, and has explained the disorder in a simple way.
With a socially relevant message, it would make both parents and teachers introspect. Pasanga-2 is the Taare Zameen Par (2007) of Tamil cinema. A simple film with a soul and its heart in the right place, it’s a must-watch film.