by Malini Mannath
Director- Ganesh Vinayak
Cast- Tarun Kumar, Abarnathee, Anusri, Bawa Lakshmanan, Devaraj
After his urban based mass entertainers ( ‘Thagararu’, Veera Sivaji’), director Ganesh Vinayak ventures into a fare that is off beat and meaningful. The plot tracks the journey of a couple from a hilly terrain, necessity forcing them to venture into the world and face the harsh realities of life. A satirical reflection of our social fabric, it depicts how the poor and needy are rendered helpless by a system that is basically hostile to them. ‘Thaen’ was one of the films selected to compete in the IFFI held at Goa this year.
The early portions are set in a hilly terrain. The locations are eye catching, Sukumaran’s camera impressively capturing the mood. The feel in the early part reminds one of that of ‘ Merku Thodarchi Malai’. The developing love between Velu a honey collector and Poonkodi is brought out well. The ambiance is authentic, the lifestyle and customs of the locals well captured. The narrative shifts to an urban milieu after Poonkodi falls ill and Velu sets out to get her treated at a hospital. Satirical at times, it depicts with a fair degree of realism human avarice, red tapism, highhandedness of officials and the insensitivity and apathy of government servants.
On the flip side, we are familiar with some of the issues depicted here. Like the attempt to usurp tribal land by a greedy corporate in connivance with cops and government officials; toxic waste from factories let into streams; political opportunism etc. But mercifully the director doesn’t waste much time on these factors. It turns a tad mushy and melodramatic towards the end. The director makes a pertinent point, when a frustrated Velu throws all the identity cards he had painstakingly gathered after bribing officials, into the grave of his wife.
The performances are finely tuned. Tarun who has acted in negative roles in various films, gets into the skin of his character and brings out the trauma and the helplessness with precision. Abarnathee (a participant in a TV reality show) fits in well as the feisty Poonkodi. Bawa Lakshman playing a beggar-middleman who helps out Velu, gets a meaty role and makes the best of it.
For a discerning viewer who would like to watch a fare different and meaningful, ‘Thaen’ could be ideal viewing (104 minutes).
Malini Mannath
