Pithamagan

Movie Name: Pithamagan
Cast: Vikram , Surya , Laila , Sangeetha , Mahadevan , Karunas
Music: Ilaiyaraja
Direction: Bala
Rating: 3.5 / 5.0

When a director debuts with a movie like Sethu, it is impossible not to look forward tohis subsequent efforts with anything less than complete enthusiasm. Bala's next effort Nandha was well-made but more than a little disappointing compared to itspredecessor. But the director has regained a lot of the lost ground with his third effort Pithamagan. Withunique characterization, tremendous performances and a smooth screenplay, the movie offers a satisfyingexperience to the discerning viewer willing to go along with its unhurried pace and stark, serious storyline.

Sithan(Vikram), the undertaker in a cemetery, is a social outcast with no contact with the civilized world. Intohis life comes Sakthivel(Surya), a fast-talking, glib fraudster. The two first meet in jail, Sithan ending up there dueto his association with the owner of a large ganja farm and Sakthi, due to being caught redhanded inhis latest fraud. Gomathi(Sangeetha), a goodhearted ganja seller cares for both of them whileManju(Laila) is the one responsible for landing Sakthi in jail after being at the receiving end of a few of hiscapers. When Sithan realises that another soul exists in the world to care about him, his world begins torevolve around Sakthi too.

Through Vikram, Bala creates one of the most unique characters in Tamil cinema. The role of the undertaker, cut offfrom the world and with only corpses for friends, is wonderfully designed. Only a very thin line separates Vikram frombeing an animal and Bala stresses this at several points throughout the movie. When we see Vikram growl, beat up anyonewho as much as lays a hand on him, charge through the forests and provide undying loyalty to the person whocares for him, we realise that Vikram is a human being only physically. The way he deals with Mahadevan in the end confirms this. The way Bala has shaped the character is a triumph.

Movies about friendship have been many in Tamil cinema but I cannot recall one about friendship between two such mismatched human beings. The bond between Vikram and Surya is almost poetic and is developed smoothly and naturally. The situations that bring the two closer together are in keeping with both their characters and every emotion, be it Surya's agony at the act Vikram performs without realising its magnitude or Vikram's silent discomfort at Laila's closeness with Surya, is brought out naturally. And Bala never misses a chance to bring a smile to our lips either. The way Surya usesVikram's instinctive anger to snap at others is always funny.

The relation between Surya and Laila, which had been developed so wonderfully during the tiffs between them, loses allits believability the moment she falls in love with him. And the reason she falls for him? Because he didn't choose to escapeby ripping her dress off embarassing her! And her family, which seems so protective of her when she put Surya in jail, isnowhere in the picture as she seems to spend every moment with him. The climax drags on a little too long. While that byitself is no crime, it seems designed to showcase Vikram acting talents rather than for a valid reason. And the end itselfhas Sethu's shadow hanging over it.

With such strong characters and a character-driven storyline, the movie's success or failure depends on the performancesof its actors. And every performer in Pithamagan, whether in a big or small role, responds beautifully. Vikram pretty much lives the role of the undertaker. With dry and streaked hair, dirty teeth and torn clothes, he looks the partand though he doesn't utter a word (except for the song that accompanies every cremation), he conveys everything throughhis expressions and body language. Just the way he runs - arms stationary - is a sight to behold. In direct contrast isSurya, who is pretty much the life of the movie. The usually quiet actor exhibits a different persona and succeeds remarkably.His monologues make us laugh every time and his affection for Vikram is entirely believable. Laila, who has been one-dimensionalis all her movies so far, shows a lot more range here. Her high-pitched screams, accompanied by lying down and flailing herarms and legs, are very funny and she gets a change to emote in the later portions too. Sangeetha(formerly Rasika) createsa sympathetic character while Mahadevan is makes us cringe with his cold-bloodedness.

Ilaiyaraja adds unmeasurable strength to many of the scenes with his background music. Ilankaathu Veesuthu... isa wonderfully melodious number and is a welcome relief from recent songs that have all tended to sound the same.Adadaa... and Piraiye... are more philosophical but contain some wonderful lyrics. Simran has a ratherdifferent 'item' number where she dances(along with Surya) to a medley of old songs.