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Showing posts from May, 2020

Ponmagal Vandhal: A melodrama masquerading as Courtroom Saga

Ponmagal Vandhal could prove to be a watershed moment for Tamil Cinema. Widely spoken about ahead of it's release for being the first big name mainstream Tamil movie to release directly on OTT, a lot is riding on this movie but only time will tell how the tide will flow on this. Made with an ensemble cast, including the screenplay specialists trio of Bhagyaraj, Parthiban and Pandiyarajan, brilliant character artists like Thiyagarajan and Subbu Panchu (special mention for his voice, so evocative. Anyone who has watched Sivaji will know how powerful Subbu Panchu's voice is), the movie gets off to an interesting start. It is 2004, Ooty. A sensational double murder, followed by public outcry, swift police action and arrest, ending with an encounter of the criminal on the grounds of self defence wraps the opening act. Cut to 2020, and a PIL petition populist (Bhagyaraj) and his daughter (Jyothika) successfully appeal to Madras High Court for a retrial of this case. Is Bhagyaraj seek