'Perusu' - A Comforting Family Adult Comedy
Produced by Karthik Subbaraj and directed by Ilango Ram, Perusu stars Vaibhav, his brother Sunil, Redin Kingsley, Bala Saravanan, VTV Ganesh, Karunakaran, Munishkanth, Deepa Shankar, and Santhini Tamilarasan, among others.
The story revolves around Saamikannu (Sunil) and Durai (Vaibhav), the sons of a well-respected man in their village, known as Perusu. Perusu, who roams around the village with an air of importance, suddenly passes away. His death brings an unexpected and unspeakable dilemma for the family, forcing them to come together and resolve it in order to give him a proper farewell. What exactly is the issue, and do the sons and family members manage to lay him to rest with due respect? That forms the crux of the story.
The film’s biggest strength is undoubtedly Sunil. As the eldest brother and the sole breadwinner of the family, he shoulders the entire burden with a mature and nuanced performance. His regretful moments, particularly the one where he laments not having spoken to his father enough, are bound to strike an emotional chord, even making feuding sons rethink their relationships. At the same time, he seamlessly blends into the comedic sequences as well.
Vaibhav plays an irresponsible drunkard who constantly blabbers and wanders around aimlessly. He has absorbed the role brilliantly, but despite his experience, he could have pushed himself to outshine Sunil at least in a few moments. His struggle to settle into the narrative is evident, especially in the first half.
The comedy track, held together by Redin Kingsley, Karunakaran, Bala Saravanan, Munishkanth, and Deepa Shankar, ensures that the film stays within the bounds of humor without veering into crude or cringe-worthy territory. Niharika makes a decent debut, though she occasionally looks directly at the camera. With time and experience, she is likely to refine her performance. Santhini, though not given much screen time, effectively portrays the role of the elder daughter-in-law, navigating property disputes and family conflicts. The climactic argument between Dhanam and Subhadra is both realistic and enjoyable, capturing the essence of rural women’s dynamics.
Director Ilango Ram deserves appreciation for reviving the family adult comedy genre, which has been missing from Tamil cinema for a while. Such films are meant to be enjoyed with family but not necessarily with children-something filmmakers like Bhagyaraj and Balachander once mastered. Though Perusu doesn’t reach that level due to its relatively simple storyline, it still manages to fill the void to some extent.
Set primarily within a household, the film features a large ensemble cast, multiple perspectives, and a wide range of emotions, all beautifully captured by cinematographer Sathya Thilakam. Suriya Kumaraguru’s editing is crisp, although the sudden shifts between comedy and grief occasionally feel jarring. Arun Raj’s background score effectively conveys the required emotions, whether it be sorrow, humor, or satire.
That said, the film could have toned down the dialogues that glorify male dominance, such as the heroics of a man with multiple wives or Perusu’s unchecked desires.
Overall, Perusu serves as a comforting watch in the absence of recent family adult dramas in Tamil cinema. Had the screenplay been a bit stronger, it could have turned into a grand celebration.
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