This is a must watch for cricket aficionados. Picture made with the backdrop of rural Tamil Nadu where the game of cricket is like religion, there is not a moment of lull or what we call ‘thoivu’ in Tamil, in the entire film. Not sure when this flick was released. Another thing is, the story dwells upon the life and times of SC or scheduled caste people whose plight has remained very backward for centuries. As notified communities, they receive government quotas in universities and jobs which has come under flak from forward communities of India. In reality, in spite of the sops that came their way, the community drew courage to come out in the open only after the 1970s or so. Kudos to the film director who obviously must come from a rural setting himself. This picture to me came across as a classic – as classical as the Carnatic music and the dance form Bharatnatyam. Only the form of creativity is different. But the spirit in the picture is so invigorating. Nobody plays the victim card unlike in ‘Pariyerum Perumal’ (which is of different genre under same category), and the entire picture is on a positive note which is a welcome change in attitude for this community that is emerging from darkness that cloaked them for generations. After Dhanush’s Asuran, I swore never to watch a picture of theirs. Neither can I stand those directors like Pa Ranjith who made ‘Kala’ with Rajnikanth. You cannot justify by any act of violence, whatever injustice was historically done to you.
The forward communities of India are like the over-cultivated farmlands that have lost their soil nutrients. The notified communities of India are the freshest brains that when tilled can yield mindblowing yields. Super bumper harvests. Its like farming on a fresh parcel of alluvial soil that has never been sowed upon before. This is how I see the reserved categories of this country. They hold so much of promise for a bright future with their untapped potential. Backward communities are the future of the world as the forward progressive ones go stale with time. This is the law of nature and that is how civilizations rose and fell for eons.
The hero Harish Kalyan comes as a breather. This is my second picture of him, the first being ‘Parking.’ I get to watch such offbeat films only with my son who being the next gen knows what to pick. Otherwise, I am kind of blank on the current filmy scene in India except for the blockbusters. In fact I came to know that a hero called Harish Kalyan exists only 3 days back! He is a refreshing face. Not sure if he has some filmy background or support system. If he is a newbee who is completely on his own like Siva Karthikeyan, then my heartiest congratulations to him. He is a natural and he has a great future. In fact he could be the next Siva Karthikeyan.
A realistic film that totally caught me off guard. The fertile rural Tamil Nadu is brimming with innocence. Look at the most backward pockets in my state – and they are still doing absolutely well! It shows the healthy lifestyle of not only Tamils but also Indians in general whose lots have improved with times.
As a cricket lover, I enjoyed this picture. Without the knowledge of cricket, you may still watch it but you could miss some subtle nuanced cricket plays and terms. Some delightful interchange could be lost on you.
Highly recommended.
Watching a bevy of pictures with my son: PS1, PS2, Mei Azhagan (these 3 were repeats for me), Parking and then this one Lubber Pandhu.
This low budget picture which I learn was a box office grosser proves that you don’t have to be flashy, glitzy, sophisticated etc., to succeed. A shoe string budget can still give a slick flick with perfect script, story and screenplay direction.
Before I close, my heartiest congrats to the entire team and especially ‘Gethu!’ Heartwarming film. I especially appreciate the spirit and sensibility of the director in not playing the SC victim card but just throwing a hint to those who may not be aware of the community (that is notified in gazette by govt of India. ) Indian muslims can take a leaf out of this picture to appreciate the blessings that come their way being born an Indian citizen. The blue passport is much respected around the world.
Plus, wherever whichever corner of the globe you may go today, you see injustices. All historic injustices cannot be undone overnight. We have to accept reality but at the same time take care that WE DON’T TURN MONSTERS WHEN WE GO FOR WITCH HUNTING. This is what I liked about this picture the most. For scheduled castes of India, this must be an important reckoning. India a lot fairer country. Enjoy the motherland with open heart. Being part of the largest democracy in the world with the kind of inclusivity we have for the most marginalized, is not something you can find even in the first world nations.
Of course we can watch this picture for JUST CRICKET. Wholesome family entertainment with ABSOLUTELY ZERO VIOLENCE CONTENT OR VULGARITY. Characters have strength. And what a subtle sense of humour that flows like a steady stream throughout the picture! We can leave out the politics. My views are my personal observations, that’s all.
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Wrapping up the week with ‘Good night’ – another low budget family friendly lighthearted feelgood flick and ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ – surprise one from Dhanush who I steadfastly avoid. Along with ‘Thalaivettiyan Paalayam’ remake of ‘Panchayat’ in Prime, screen comes down for interesting tv show with my son in the US.
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