Director Manikandan has been making Tamil cinema proud with his slice of life films such as ‘Kaaka Muttai’, ‘Kutrame Thandanai’ and ‘Aandavan Kattalai’. Manikandan’s protégé Suresh Sangaiah’s ‘Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu’ is film that gives the feel of living in a village and watching the real men and women out there and it is thoroughly enjoyable and moving.
Ramamurthy (Vidharth) and Seetha (Raveena Ravi) is a newlywed village couple. The couple starts in with the bunch of their villagers to their Kuladeivam temple for Kidavettu (offering a got as a sacrifice for the lord and eating the meat as the feast).
On the way to the temple a young man falls in front of the lorry driven by Ramamurthy and he is dead on the spot. After tensed discussions they decide it is better and safer for everyone to cover up the death by cremating the body. But their attempts fail. Then they call a lawyer (George) to help them out of the mess but even he could not be of much help as things go out of the hand.
What happens to the villagers and what happens to the family of the deceased man forms the rest of the film.
‘Oru Kidaayin Karunai Manu’ is a film that deserves to be welcomed with open hands. It has been a very long time since we have seen such a realistic and raw rural film in which the humor and sentiment we get are completely organic. There is no commercial element added for the purpose of entertainment but still the film is highly entertaining than the so-called commercial entertainers we get week after week. Kudos to debutant writer-director Suresh Sangaiah for his hard work to study the characters of the villages, their lifestyle and behavior which has made this film which makes it close to heart for everyone. Even the names of the characters- Ezhara, Kondi, Seval, Arumpaadu and Kunjukarai- are so lively and real.
The title may give an impression that thefilm carries a message against animal slaughter. Of course the film has been told in the goat’s point of you also. Not just for the characters but the audience can root for the goat also. But the message about the animal is so subtle and it has been left to the perspective of viewer. The film neither lauds nor demonizes animal sacrifice at any instance throughout.
‘Oru Kidaayin’ has its share of flaws. The second half is not as tight and engaging as the first half. But such things are unavoidable for a film that does not resort to any kind of commercial compromise.
Not just the characters and their names but also the casting is so perfect that we forget that we are watching a work of fiction. Each member of the star cast deserves a standing ovation.
Vidharth has to be praised for selecting such small and beautiful films and giving just what the script demands from him. There is no scope for him to perform as an actor but his casting is completely justified as he perfectly gives what is required for the character. Raveena Ravi is the only actor who looks a little odd when compared to others but she makes it up for that with her neat performance. George as the crooked lawyer does his part well. Aaru Bala as an outspoken village youngster gives a memorable performance. All other actors have done their part very well. Each of them have been used well for comedy as well as emotions and they have given their best in both counts.
Music by debutant R.Raghuram has done a fantastic job by providing breezy songs with the tinge or rural sounds and rerecording that aptly supplements the narration. R.V.Saran’s cinematography has captured the rural life with its realistic beauty. Praveen K.L’s Editing is neat.
Verdict- ‘Oru Kidayin Karunai Manu’ is a thoroughly realistic, enjoyable and moving film about rural life. Don’t miss watching it in theaters.
