THIRUCHITRAMBALAM (2022)

Critic No. 285

Director: Mithran R Jawahar

Written by: Mithran R Jawahar

Produced by: Sun Pictures

Casts: Dhanush, Nithya Menen, Bharathiraja. Prakash Raj, Raashi Khanna, Priya Bhavani Shankar

Music: Anirudh

Language: Tamil

Genre: Romance, Drama

SYNOPSIS: 

Thiruchitrambalam (Dhanush), a timid food delivery driver, tries to find romance in his life while also dealing with problems in his broken family consisting of his grandfather and father. How long will it be before he realizes what he is looking for is right next to him?

REVIEW:

Mithran R Jawahar had a fine streak of form in the early 2000s where he delivered back to back hits with Dhanush - Yaaradi Nee Mohini (2008), Kutty (2010), Uthama Puthiran (2010). Though all of them were remakes, his fine handling of emotions, sharp dialogues and perfect casting was well admired by many. However, after a while, his form came to a smooth end. When this film was announced, personally I was very excited because his combination with Dhanush has never disappointed and this time he had come up with his own original story unlike his previous ventures. With Anirudh-Dhanush combo being reignited again, Thiruchirtrambalam is easily the most expected Dhanush film in recent times. 

The story revolves around Thiruchitrambalam (Dhanush) aka Pazham, a food delivery guy, and his quest to find a stable relationship. In his simple middle class life, there is his grandfather Thiruchitrambalam (Bharathirajaa), who is more like his buddy and father Neelankandan (Prakash Raj), a cop, who he is not in talking terms, due to a tragedy from their past (which eventually hints us to be the reason of his timid nature). His life gets colourful when Anusha (Raashi Khanna), his childhood crush enters to flutter his heart to yearn for a relationship.In midst of all this, there is Shobana (Nithya Menen), his neighbour and childhood friend, who is his only source of comfort. How Pazham resolves his baggage and finds his true love forms the crux of the film.

As Pazham says in the film, "Simple aana life. Perusa drama edhuvum illa (Simple life without any big drama)", Thiruchitrambalam has no big twists and turns but heavily relies on the simple pleasures and heartbreaks that anyone will go through. As we have seen in Gautham Menon films, Mithran gives us a soothing slice of life story that suggests that one cannot force to find love, it will find you. Thiruchitrambalam presents this hill-old idea with interesting character dynamics and feel good situations. The film literally feels like a sweet throwback to 90s Tamil films like Piriyadha Varam Vendum (2001) and Priyamana Thozhi (2003).  We even get an airport climax that is straight out of the 90s, but thankfully, Mithran R Jawahar stages it with a couple of heartbreaking dialogues. 

The biggest strength of the film is the terrific cast ensemble that take what are essentially familiar character types and infuse them with flesh and blood through their performances. Bharathirajaa who plays senior Thiruchitrambalam, makes you see a man who has lived a life full of highs and lows and has chosen to be happy in his old age even within a dysfunctional home. Prakash Raj makes a great comeback, playing the most complex character in the film with two distinctive shades. In the scene in which he seeks forgiveness from his son, he makes us feel the character's pain, reteriating that he is one of the finest actors in Indian cinema. 

Dhanush plays a similar character from his previous films like Yaaradi Nee Mohini and Vellai Illa Pattathari, but this time he injects a sense of maturity on how he handle complex emotions. He delivers a very internal performance and in many scenes, he conveys his character's feelings with minimal gestures, a teared-up eye, slightly quivering lips and a frown without words. And for me , the real show stealer, the heart of the film is Nithya Menen. Without trying too hard, she looks cute, lovable and charming, all at the same time. I don’t wish to reveal any spoilers but the way the character is written with much depth and delicacy is commendable.

Technically the film looks like an expensive painting. Om Prakash’s arresting visuals tied with Anriudh’s enchanting score, keeps us invested despite the predictable wafer thin story. The bonus tracks by Anirudh, outside the album, elevated the emotions of the film greatly, with perfect timing. Two things that didn’t work at all for me are the episode in the village (with the unwarranted Priya Bhavani Shankar character) and the track on the kidnapper who seeks revenge on Pazham. Both of them didn’t add much value to the film. 

Mithran R Jawahar continues his fine form with Dhanush by delivering a memorable romance drama that everyone can relate to and leave the cinema hall with a smile of relief. 

VERDICT:

Through Mithran R Jawahar explores a familiar region of love-friendship story, with a strong cast ensemble, he delivers a feel good film that carries lovable characters and relatable situations, accentuated by Anirudh’s enchanting music. 

CELLULOID METER- 3.5/5: