Movie: Madharasapattinam

Produced by Kalpathi S. Agoram

Director: A. L. Vijay

Cast: Arya, Amy Jackson, Nassar, V.M.C Haneefa

Music: G. V. Prakash Kumar

Director of photography: Nirav Shah

Madharasapattinam takes audience to the days of Indian Independence. By the title and trailer we would assume that the movie might describe the Indian Freedom Struggle. Surprisingly, the movie is full of Love and Romance. Beyond that, movie touches the sense of patriotism, emotions of Indians under British Rule, Unity of Indian during Independence Era and the mood on the day of Indian Independence.

Young hero Arya’s act and physical appearance suited the role well. His performances were loyal to role of Innocent Dhobi & Lover and arrogant wrestler. Amy Jackson, the beautiful English heroine is the heart of the movie. Being an English lady, Amy has taken her role sincerely and has performed to a great extent. kudos to the Costume Designer Deepali Noor.

Nirav Shah’s work is brilliant in the movie with the help of the Art Director Selva Kumar. The old model Cars, Trams, Railway Station, Post Office, Chennai Beach, Famous Koovam River were shot exclusively in the movie. G.V. Prakash scores on the background music which was not disturbing the story or the scenes.

Movie starts with an 84 years old English lady (Amy Wilkinson), who is waiting for a Brain surgery in a week’s time. The Grandma argues with her daughter and flies to India with her grand daughter. Flashback starts while the grandma remembers her old days while crossing few landmarks in Chennai. She was a pretty daughter of a British Governor who was governing the Old Chennai. The Government plans to build a Golf course in the banks of river Koovam, the place of Dhobis were Parithi (Arya) lives. The plan was totally refused by the Villagers and they stood against the Government. Amy calls Parithi as a Brave Man as he stood against her father’s (Governor) decision.

Amy was inspired by Parithi and she falls is love on him. She learns Tamil, by which our hero is impressed and started liking her. Amy goes to Parithi’s village daily to meet him, though she was forcefully engaged to a British Policeman by her father and her step mother. Amy was then packed to England by her father who knew her love towards Parithi. Amy then cheated her step mother and ran on the roads in search of Parithi. They started running away from the Police against the Shoot at Sight Order by her father.

Amy carries Parithi on a boat as he is injured and they were surrounded by Police completely. Amy then makes Parithi to move away from her and the flash back ends.

The transition over the present days and the flashback is beautifully screened by the director.

Adding to Arya and Amy Jackson, performances of Naasar, Haneefa and the Grandma are impressive.

Besides everything, the box of movies Titanic and Lagaan is sensed on this film. The movie is entirely different from the recent Tamil Movies and it is worth watching it.