'Ananda Thandavam' not an enjoyable ride
HE has written and directed aesthetic and enjoyable films like the award winning Nila kaalam, and Chellamey. And now Gandhi Krishna adapts a literary work for his new film. 'Ananda Thandavam' is the celluloid version of the late writer Sujata’s 'Pirivom Sandhippom' written about 25 years ago. But the director’s visualising it on screen leaves much to be desired.
It’s about Raghu who falls for Madhu, but is discarded by her, she preferring to marry Radhakrishnan, an NRI suitor. Raghu later goes to the US for higher studies, where he encounters Madhu. Ecstatic in her new life, Madhu makes efforts to find a suitable life partner for Raghu. Raghu meets Rathna, who despite her US upbringing, is rooted to tradition, and expresses her desire to lead a life with Raghu in India. But Raghu realises that Madhu could still influence his thoughts and life.
It’s an idyllic picturesque locale in the earlier scenes, where Raghu returns to live with his father where he falls for the pretty capricious, charmer and flirt Madhu. When prodded by her parents, he decides to marry her despite the apprehensions of his father. The scenes are disjointed, shots cut abruptly at places, the smooth flow missing resulting in the characters and their actions seem ambiguous, erratic, and lacking conviction.
Take the nonchalant attitude of Madhu’s parents when their daughter moves in close physical proximity with her two suitors. The scenes related to the relationship between Raghu’s father and the servant maid Jayanthi could have handled in a better way.
The whole US scenario is depicted in a very superficial and stereotyped manner. Unpalatable is the closing scene where Raghu furiously chases Radhakrishnan at the US airport with a gun in hand, the cops cornering him and then letting him go scot free. The actors are aptly cast and adequate in their roles. Like Kitty as Raghu’s intuitive father, Rishi as the philandering hubby Radhakrishnan, Rukmini (of ‘Bommalattam’) as Rathna, and Charlie as the ‘Marker’. Sidharth’s is a promising debut as Raghu, the obsessed, forlorn, disheartened lover.
For Tamannaah, it’s a challenging role so early in her career. The actress essays splendidly and brings to life the vivacious, whimsical and charming Madhu, whose childlike innocence and vulnerability, touches a chord and evokes sympathy, though at times her antics seem like she’s not all there!
The director fails to capture the feel, emotional intensity and the complexity of the characters which the novel had etched so finely. The movie looks disjointed, erratic and lacking sensibility and conviction in many places. The film is not exactly an ‘Ananda’ Thandavam!
expresso@epmltd.com