Cast: Geetha Kailasam, Bharani, Saran Shakthi, Mullaiyarasi, Thendral Raghunathan
Directed By: Vipin Radhakrishnan
Music By: Mohammed Maqbool Mansoor
Produced By: Stone Bench Films, NJoy Films, Firo Movie Station – Kaarthekeyen.S, Firoz Rahim, Anjoy Samue
Geetha Kailasam, who lost her husband at a young age, works hard to raise her two sons. She is not only a hardworking woman involved in milk vending and farming, but also a courageous woman and a traditionalist who doesn’t wear a blouse.
Her elder son, Bharani, a farmer, is married and lives with his mother, while her younger son, Saran, studies well and becomes a doctor. He falls in love with a girl from a wealthy family, and her family approves of their relationship. Because he fears that the girl’s family will think negatively of his mother for not wearing a blouse, and also because he wants his mother to adapt to modern times, he wants his mother to wear a blouse. With the help of his sister-in-law, he manages to get his mother to wear one.
However, Geetha Kailasam realizes that her family is trying to change her more for the sake of others than out of genuine concern for her, and decides to live freely and as she pleases, as she always has. But her family tries to change her anyway, and the events that follow form the rest of the story.
Geetha Kailasam, who plays the protagonist Angammal, has put in a lot of effort for her role, from acting without a blouse to smoking a cigar. While Geetha Kailasam has accurately portrayed Angammal as a very courageous and hardworking woman who speaks her mind and is independent, she seems to falter slightly in conveying the majestic presence of Angammal through her posture and body language. Barani, who played Angammal’s eldest son, Thendral, who played his wife, Charan, who played the younger son, Mullaiyarasi, who played his girlfriend, Sudhakar, who played Charan’s friend, and the young girl Yashmin, along with the other actors in supporting roles, have all contributed effectively to Angammal’s story.
Cinematographer Anjai Samuel has made the locations featured in the film a character in themselves. From the very beginning, he captures the audience’s attention with his camera by showcasing a vast landscape. He has presented Angammal’s house, the mountains, and the paddy fields surrounded by coconut trees in a visually stunning manner, like viewing paintings, offering a feast for the eyes.
Composer Mohammed Maqbool Mansoor’s background music proves that even the wind can speak. The background score, seamlessly integrated with the characters and almost imperceptible, has added immense strength to the film.
Editor Pradeep Shankar has effectively conveyed Angammal’s mind and thoughts to the audience.
Vipin Radhakrishnan, who wrote the screenplay and directed the film based on Perumal Murugan’s short story, has attempted to realistically portray the life of a woman named Angammal.
Despite being a courageous and independent woman, Angammal’s freedom is curtailed by her children, and she submits to them, giving up her defiant nature. Director Vipin Radhakrishnan has powerfully conveyed that even though women may live courageously and independently, certain circumstances prevent them from living according to their own wishes until the very end, as exemplified by Angammal.
