Madharasapattinam
Starring: Arya, Amy Jackson, Nasser, VMC.Haneefa, M. S. Bhaskar.
Direction: A L Vijay
Music: G V Prakash Kumar
Production: Kalapathi S. Aghoram
The film brings back audiences to the Madras which is what the movie is about. The film is set in a time where the struggle is focused on reaching for freedom. Though the struggle for freedom against the British rule is one important aspect to be covered in this film you will be surprised that the film is not exactly what that is about.
The film is based on a love story that is placed on a time that when India is about to get its freedom. It all begins with a British young lady, Amy Jackson, comes to India and she is no other for she is from a family with connections to the highest battalions of influence in the presidency of Madras. At this time, there is apprehension between Indians and British which is sparked when a washer man in Madras stood up against British personnel who tries to force them to leave their community. It then lead to a one-on-one between the British personnel and a young dhobi (Arya) which will decide what will happen to their community.
Among the spectators is the British lady who is drawn in into the brave young man who stood up against the British personnel. She later on falls for this man who also feels the same for her but their closeness is noted by those of higher authority who thinks that their relation brings dishonour to their family as well as with the empire. They then need to decide whether to go fight for their love or to consider the things happening to the country especially at a time where the British are about to leave India. All of this should what the audience has to look out for in the climax of the film.
The storyline is becomes a mix of original ideas and concepts from great films. It would definitely be one film that should give honours to the team behind Madharasapattinam who made a vast research for the film by basing it on photos, ideas of people during that era and more on its history. Although we were not around in 1947 at how Madras was like, it convinced the audience of how it was conveyed. Selva Kumar was in charge of the art department and we can tell that is was all well thought of.
The audience was taken to Mount Road, the old Washermanpet, the buildings of Madras Central and Buckingham Canal. Cooum was showed on how it looked before that is surprisingly clean compared to how it looks like today. The set was really done to come out authentic making it believable. With the works of Nirav Shah, everything was enhanced to come out enthralling. All praises to the cinematographer who did an excellent job.
The technical aspect was great along with the background music of G.V. Prakash. The actors especially Amy Jackson who gave justice to her role as a woman torn between love and a country at the verge of getting freedom. Her leading man, Arya, is the ideal actor for his manly yet romantic aura. The other casts were good and convinced the audience and this goes the same to the British cast. There is spunk of humour through VMC Haneefa who is the translator as he plays around with the languages.
The whole film was definitely great but like everything else, there are always downsides to it. First of all the dialogue does not seem appropriate at the time of 1947 especially for the Tamil language. There are also English lines that were comprehensive but it does not seem at all as a barrier.