Film Review: ''Kutty''

IN THE last frame her innocent face full of hope is framed against the grill windows of a train - she looks out - her eyes shining with dreams while reality hangs above like a thundercloud - she does not know it but the viewers do and there is a sinking feeling that all her hopes are in vain. We know exactly what is going to happen to Kannamma, the protagonist of the film ``Kutty''. We also know that this is something that is happening all the time - the feeling of despair about lost childhood is palpable, the rage is impotent - but then its only a film and till the feelings translate into action its only a documentation of the harsh realities and consequences of poverty and illiteracy.

Shruthika Foundation's ``Kutty'' directed by Janaki Vishwanathan is a simple film short of frills and fancies. A ten-year-old girl Kannamma (Shwetha) is transported to the city to earn for a family, which has lost its head. In a well-meaning gesture she is taken to the city to look after a working couple's two children along with some household chores in their absence. Her delight in things so new to her is mingled with the acknowledgement that though she is a child her position in the household is subject to the whims of the mother-in-law who believes ``servants must be kept in their place''.

Her pain of being separated from her loving but incredibly poor family back in the village is like a sad tune that haunts her. When hostility from the two individuals who actually deal with her (Master Sooraj and M. N. Rajam) becomes unbearable, she tries to run away - ostensibly helped by the kindly next-door grocery shop owner (Vivek). Life then takes a turn. A turn that is inconclusive, plunging the child into a land of no return.

This is about child labour - the abuse of which throws millions of young workers into a life of despair and forced adulthood. The abuse is sometimes unintentional - as in the case of the couple (Kausalya and Ramesh Arvind) that means well for her but are not around to save her from her misery. It's also about the plight of the girl child who continues to bear the brunt of social pressures and attitudes. She cannot afford to dream especially if she is poor - the carefree pleasures of life are not for her especially if there is a failing family business. A welcome deviation in the film is the attitude of Kannamma's father (Nasser) who nurtures big ambitions for his girl - she must study never mind if he has to work twice as hard. He loves her desperately and wants the best for her so what if she is a girl.

Adapted from a story by Sivasankari, ``Kutty'' is also a young woman's passion for causes - Janaki (who has done the scripting and screenplay along with her husband - producer Ramesh Arunachalam) has put together a team which has created a film that will remain long in the audience's minds - Ilayaraja with his musical score with lyrics by Mu Mehta (except for ``Hangachi Thangachi'' where the lyrics are by Raja himself) has given some somber moments to an already moving film.

Thankar Bachchan on the camera, Sreekar Prasad (editing) and P. Krishnamurthy (art direction) re-create a simple home of a working couple along with the moods and tensions with realism. Also in the cast are Eashwari Rao and S. N. Lakshmi among others.

CHITRA MAHESH

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Section  : Entertainment
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