Rajumurugan's "Lalagunda Bommaigal" takes viewers on a surreal journey, blurring the lines between reality and imagination. The film delves into the intricacies of love, showcasing the struggles and vulnerabilities of its characters. Shoba, played by Sri Gouri Priya, finds herself emotionally shattered after an abortion, isolating herself from the world. However, fate intervenes, and she unexpectedly falls in love with Nathuram, a panipuri seller. The ensuing events are nothing short of extraordinary.
One of the standout elements of the film is Sean Roldan's music, which adds a nonchalant vibe to the narrative. The song "Jingarthathanga" exudes the exhilaration of rediscovering love. The lyrics cleverly compare Shoba to a racing dove, symbolizing her peaceful demeanor concealing a resilient spirit, while Nathuram is likened to a lone shark, thriving even in the face of danger. Moreover, "Lalagunda Bommaigal" challenges prevalent prejudices against migrants from North India, providing a timely social commentary.
In Balaji Sakthivel's "Imaigal," the film powerfully questions the futility of rigid gender roles. When Devi, portrayed by TJ Bhanu, reveals to her boyfriend Nithiyanandham (Ashok Selvan) that she will eventually lose her eyesight due to a degenerative eye disorder, she anticipates abandonment. However, Nithiya chooses to marry her, promising to show her the world until she can no longer see. Yet, as the years pass, Devi's world shrinks to domestic chores and motherhood, exemplifying the oppressive nature of patriarchal expectations.
The opening shot of "Imaigal" captivates the audience, with Devi staring directly into the camera, seemingly peering into their souls. Her still pupils foreshadow the impending loss of her sight. Interestingly, her moments of serenity occur when she closes her eyes, a poignant detail that becomes significant later in the narrative.
"Kaadhal Enbadhu Kannula Heart Irukkura Emoji" by Krishnakumar Ramakumar pays homage to the romanticism portrayed in cinema. Mallika, played by Ritu Varma, begins to question the existence of real-life counterparts to the dreamy heartthrobs portrayed in movies like "Alaipayuthey" and "Titanic." Even the National Award-winning Blue Sattai film critic fails to persuade her. The film's enchanting moments invite nostalgia, celebrating innocent love while injecting humor into the process of healing from heartbreak. It astutely acknowledges the significance of food and movies as popular coping mechanisms.
As Mallika ponders the absence of "soup songs" for women, the film playfully highlights this discrepancy, simultaneously emphasizing the quest for kindred spirits. However, it disappointingly adopts a clichéd slow-motion shot at a crucial juncture, inadvertently diluting the authenticity it strives to preserve.
"Margazhi," directed by Akshay Sunder, unravels a tale of love blossoming amidst personal turmoil. Puberty, hormones, and the longing for maternal presence envelop Jazmine, portrayed by Sanjula Sarathi. Jazmine's father, played by Srikrishna Dayal, enrolls her in a church choir class where she encounters Milton (Chu Khoy Sheng), a Delhiite spending his winter holidays with his grandmother. "Margazhi" encapsulates the transient nature of seasonal love, serving as a balm during harsh winters. The film's ethereal ambiance, complemented by understated performances, gains emotional depth when Jazmine listens to a poignant Ilaiyaraaja song, filling the void in her heart.
Bharathiraja's "Paravai Kootil Vaazhum Maangal" uses the metaphor of pruning a tree to breathe new life into relationships. Ravi (Kishore), a married man, his wife Revathy (Remya Nambeesan), and Rohini (Vijayalakshmi), Ravi's love interest, engage in a dialogue to navigate their complex circumstances. The short film pays homage to the late Balu Mahendra, known for his unconventional storytelling, with "En Iniya Pon Nilaave" from "Moodu Pani" becoming the catalyst for Ravi and Rohini's love story. Despite desiring a conventional family structure, the characters embrace modern ideals. Rohini is not portrayed as the stereotypical "other woman" but as an individual seeking happiness in her own life.
In Kumararaja's "Ninaivo Oru Paravai," viewers enter a visually striking world, initially disorienting due to its dominant scarlet and blue color palette. Yet, a momentary respite allows one to comprehend the symbolic significance of these hues, representing how two individuals carry fragments of each other within a relationship.
The film's most pleasant moments occur during the final stages of a relationship. K (PK) and Sam (Wamiqa Gabbi) share one last intimate encounter before parting ways. Months later, Sam finds herself heartbroken, while K suffers from partial memory loss following an accident. Sam is brought back into K's life to help him regain his memories, resulting in a captivating exploration of their shared reality. The meticulously staged scene depicting their explosive, mind-altering intimacy is the pinnacle of the film, elevated further by Ilaiyaraaja's masterful background score. Kumararaja once again delves into astrology and questions the abnormality of storytelling, leaving viewers pondering the boundaries of reality.
In conclusion, "Modern Love: Chennai" offers a diverse tapestry of love stories, spanning different ages, social strata, and locales in Chennai. Each short film possesses its unique charm and explores themes of love, resilience, gender roles, and the power of cinema. The anthology serves as a testament to the craft of storytelling, transporting audiences into vivid and thought-provoking cinematic worlds.
