Film: Dharmadurai
Director: Seenu Ramasamy
Cast: Vijay Sethupathi, Tamannah, Aishwarya Rajesh, Srushti Dange, Radhika, Rajesh
The film tracks the emotional journey of a man and the lessons he learns from his interactions with three women. It brings together Sethupathi and Ramasamy, the actor-director duo of Thenmerku Paruva Kaatru which gave Sethupathi his first lead role.
The first half is watchable, but the second meanders, forcibly interlinking the protagonist’s past to his present.When we first see Dharmadurai, he is depicted as an alcoholic, and a bane to his family and neighbours. While his siblings plot to end his activities, Dharma’s mother coaxes him to leave the place. Dharma reaches Madurai and his alma mater. The narration goes into flashback and we learn how a dedicated doctor turns out to be in the pitiable state he is in. The early scenes of Dharma’s interaction with his siblings have a natural flow. Radhika is a delight to watch, as the hapless mother who tries to protect her son from the fury of his siblings. In fact, it’s these portions that are crafted with sensitivity and showcases the director at his best.
Sethupathi carries the film on his shoulders for the most part. But when the screenplay takes a slide, the actor can do little to salvage it. The happenings at the medical college, the camaraderie between Dharma and his classmates Shubha and Stella have a feel good flavour. Women get a better deal than what is dealt out to them in most films. Vivacious and open about her love for Dharma, Srushti as Stella leaves a mark. Rajesh as the professor lends solid support. Tamannah cutting a pretty picture as Shubha would get her screen space later. Shubha re-entering the story seems contrived and is the weakest link in the plot.
Anbuselvi, the third woman in Dharma’s life, is played by Aishwarya Rajesh, who infuses life in the time-space she gets. But this episode offers nothing fresh or exciting. The director seems to have lost his grip in the latter part, the narration jerky and long winded. The film may have its moments that touch an emotional chord. But viewed as a whole, Dharmadurai doesn’t totally satisfy.