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Heart-warming storyline
WITH DUE apologies to Ian Fleming's title that runs ``The man with the Golden Gun'', I wish to state that ``the man with the golden pen'' of the small screen is K. Balachander.
It is the life of the middle class that he narrates always. The script, dialogues and directorial touches that unfold have endeared him over the years to the masses. KB is back in form with his latest offering, "Anni".
The lyrics of the title song are appropriate. Its music is melodious and catchy and the cast selection is perfect.
Veteran V. S. Raghavan has a nice role, but he could avoid mouthing abuses when referring to his advocate son in the presence of his other children and grandchildren. "Subalekha" Sudhakar has a plum role of a successful lawyer and he has lent dignity to the role. He is shaping well as a character artiste — a smile hovering sarcastically on his lips, a condescending nod and a fiery flare of the nostrils to display hurt or the warm appreciation of the daughter-in-law's affection, he expresses it all well.
Yesteryear actress Banumathi is a perfect foil to him — meek and docile, she does just what is required of her. All the rest lend good support.
Revathy Sankaran could have been portrayed in a little more refined manner. That the sister of a leading lawyer is so uncouth is difficult to believe.
The self-effacing heroine Anni is played by Malavika. Her expressive eyes darting to and fro in a trice convey myriad emotions.
I have heard it said that in close-knit families, even the mother is found addressing her husband as ``appa". So I can understand every member in the serial referring to Angayarkanni as Anni.
The vagrant eldest son-in-law of the family instigates Ramanathan to reprimand Anni for taking too much authority into her hands. Even under the influence of liquor, Ramanathan recalls to have stated that having extorted a promise from Anni and seized the law part of her name, she remains a daughter of the household. This is empowering her to act as she desired.
He prevents her from practising law. This is not the result of envy or small-mindedness, he claims. He had promoted Anni as a judge within the house knowing well that she had it in her to set right the chaotic state of the household. This is the way he justifies his stand to Anni's father.
Again, the father-in-law who hardly crosses the threshold to enter the temple goes into the shrine escorted by his wife and offers `archanai' praying that Anni bear children and lead a happy, normal life like other women.
Anni's birthday is celebrated and she is flooded with gifts and mobbed by their love and fed with a cake till she is rendered breathless.
In the privacy of her room, Anni sobs convulsively as a result of the surfeit of love and abundant happiness that she is showered with. These are some of the touching scenes but there are other predictable, hackneyed turns as well.
Why is it that Anni should always succeed in her endeavours? It would have been more realistic if someone else for a change, had spotted the telltale ticket counterfoil staring out of the son's pocket!
All said and done, it is still a heart-warming serial and popular one at that, judging by the special supplement telecast on public request.
We sympathise with Kaveri but nevertheless salute her indomitable spirit, admire the fair and quiet dignity of the business tycoon, Indira, enjoy the friendly duels and escapades of Anbulla Snehidiye and commend the gumption of Marumagal. Yet all the same, we love Anni for staying put in the same place on the popularity graph for several weeks and closest to our hearts!
THARA MOHAN RAO
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