Film Review: ''Anandham''

FROM THE days of the Ramayana, to the four-decade old Sivaji Ganesan starrer, ``Pazhani'', and again to the recent blockbuster that won for its director Vikraman recognition at an all-India level, ``Vanathai Pola'', with Vijayakanth as the fulcrum, four- brother stories have always been a subject of interest. So going by such reasoning, Super Good Films' ``Anandham'' should sustain viewers' interest. And after watching Mammootty's sterling performance in the film one hopes that such an effort receives the recognition and accolade it deserves.

The man comes like a breath of fresh air into Tamil films and makes one wonder why it can't happen more often. There is not one scene that has him over-reacting or underplaying, not one sequence where he is unnatural or affected. A mature delineation from Mammootty. If he is a winner, so is Murali. His complete faith in his brother, his patience with his nagging wife - each emotion is expressively essayed by the experienced actor.

Lingusamy makes his debut with an intelligent screenplay and impressive direction. All the same, you only wish certain contrived elements like the fight sequence at the rice mill, had been avoided. Otherwise ordinary happenings, trivial skirmishes and minor pin-pricks that are part of every normal household, are realistically presented in ``Anandham''.

The four brothers Tirupathi, Madhavan, Kannan and Surya (Mammootty, Murali, Abbas and Shyamganesh in that order) come up in life the hard way. They have very supportive parents (`Delhi' Ganesh and Srividya). And even under trying circumstances the brothers remain undaunted and united.

Devayani's enactment as Mammootty's wife is neat and flawless. Rambha is Madhavan's wife Renuka. And as a rarity, the actress's acting ability has been well utilised. No suggestive gestures or revealing costumes for Rambha in `Anandham', only a decent duet.

Sneha has been paired with Abbas who reveals remarkable improvement in histrionic abilities. Definitely one of the best roles he has donned so far and an opportunity that he has utilised well. Sneha is apt as Viji, the girl who falls in love with Kannan and later pines for him but her gaudy dresses hurt the eye. From the small screen to the big, it is a major leap for Shyamganesh. Honing his dancing skills is a must for the young man at this stage.

However, much you try to justify it, seeing Srividya as Mammootty's mother is a bit too difficult to digest.

Vijayakumar is dignified as usual. But his so-called villainous threats seem mere empty words. The characterisation could have been more forceful.

Pleasing locales and soothing camera angles are the other positive aspects of ``Anandham''.

The dialogue, in many places, reminds you of Maniratnam's style of intonation. The scene in which Abbas asks Vijayakumar, ``Do you know what familial bond is?'' is an example. The rhetoric here is so much like the scene in `Dhalapathi' where Rajnikanth goes on in a similar vein about friendship.

Eschewing vulgarity and double entendres is not an easy step in a commercial venture. Producer R.B. Choudhary and director Lingusamy deserve a pat for their boldness.

MALATHI RANGARAJAN

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