Kaaka Muttai

A national award film is usually slow paced, emotional and often ends on a tragic note. For a change, here is a national award winner which is a feel good entertainer. We have seen films starting with a cow giving birth to its calf, the dong of the temple bell, a festive song or the hero breaking the drishti pumpkin with his head. The movie breaks these superstitious stereotypes in the very first frame, where the smaller one wets his trousers and tries to hide it from his mother. 

The storyline looks simple at first. But, as the story and scenes unfold, you realize this is not just a children's film. This film is a reflection of the society we live in. There have been films in the past that portray the poverty line demarcation of the haves and have-nots. Here, the  debutant director has handled it on a lighter note when it comes from the kids and on a strong note when it comes from the adults. But, both bring out the hard truth.

The lead characters in the movie are two kids. The kids' mom is working hard not only to make both ends meet, but also to bail out her husband in jail. The kids had to drop out from school as they have to work for the family. They earn by picking coal spilt from the goods train. The first portrayal of poverty is when the boys steal eggs from a crow's nest. The family is struggling and they can't afford to buy eggs daily. The day comes when the kids witness their tree being cut down for a commercial complex. A pizza shop is built at that place inaugurated by simbhu. These kids get tempted and start to (y)earn for their first bite of pizza. From there on, the script takes on multiple social issues and stands out as a novel attempt in Indian cinema.

Ramesh and vignesh have lived as chinna kaaka muttai and periya kaaka muttai in the movie. Ishwarya rajesh gives her career best, her guts to play the role of a mother at the start of her career needs special mention. The character names from the movie - chinna kaaka muttai, periya kaaka muttai, pazharasam, naina evoke humor. Supporting roles from ramesh tilak, yogi babu, joe malloori add strength to the movie. Ramesh tilak comes up with another good performance after soodhu kavvum and demonte. Yogi babu's version of "am waiting" makes the crowd  go crazy. He is one of the few comedians who can evoke laughter with just the shake off his head. Simbhu's first frame on the screen makes the crowd roar. They have missed him on screen. GV's music is apt and there are no spoilers. But, the real hero is the scriptwriter and director manikandan. The fact that he has not assisted any director and this is his debut movie is a surprise.

Silambarasan's scene from silambattam is played on TV. This scene made the hall erupt with whistles. Wait, that's not the highlight. It is the next scene. The kids try to play simbhu and utter the dialogue in the same modulation. An entertaining yet powerful scene showcasing the impact of tamizh cinema on kids, especially when they speak like adults. The mother of the kids does not like her younger one calling himself "chinna kaaka mutta". There is a scene where the elder one calls himself "periya kaaka mutta" and leaves the house, when he gets into an argument with his mom. Simply symbolic. There is humour throughout the movie and it never dips.

The kids somehow earn money for their pizza. But, the drama that follows, visualizes the bitter reality. The kids enter the pizza shop with their pocket full of 300 rs, but they are not allowed inside because of their shabby dress. Now, they hunt for their first pair of new dress. When a rich child gives them the remnants of his pizza, the elder one denies. Dignity. The elder one refuses to steal mobile phones when he sees his age group involved in it. Honesty. When the boys wait outside city center to buy a new dress, the younger one looks in awe but comes back with a quick counter - "Kandippa namalla ulla vuda maataan". This is where the reality of modern day society is reiterated on a lighter note. Ishwarya's dialogue - "Ilathavan veetu munnadi kadaiya poatu, pasanga aasaiya thoondunaa". One-liner on globalization at the doorstep of the slums. The script deals with everything - right from globalization to local politics. Above all, the dialogues delivered in chennai slang adds to the authenticity of the script and screenplay.

A must watch movie. A film that needs to be celebrated. Hats off manikandan!

Ayae thaetrla poi paarunga baa!