One of the most powerful stories told this year, this tragic drama is a must watch.
Nandu plays an ordinary man who lives with his wife and two daughters in the city of Trivandrum. He works as a roadside food vendor and has succeeded in raising a family solely through this night job. Things first begin to go south when his wife (Maya Viswanath) requests that she tag along so that he gets some relief with the taxing work. Now, the shop's usual vendors not only come there to satisfy their hunger, but also to ogle at this new assistant of his. One thing leads to another, and thanks to an instant strike (hartal) in the city, his shop is vandalized and he is beaten up by members of the state government opposition. With a partial paralysis and four stomachs to fill, the man has to find ways to bounce back. But, will he?
The film is a fable about the life of a man who is altruistic at heart, but is stabbed by his own people during harried times. Nandu plays the character with total conviction and succeeds in bringing out the best in him as he struggles in his stunted life. How strikes affect people's lives is the primary theme of the film. The narrative does swerve to other secondary themes, but I think the makers wanted to give an overall outlook of the person who has only suffered in his life. And for what? The story shines light into this what.
Director C V Premkumar tries to fill too many elements in a small jar, and attempts to outline the fallacies of life. Together with his brilliant cast and a very fine execution, we can say he succeeds.
BOTTOM LINE: C V Premkumar's "Aalroopangal" is a decent film about a man's struggle that must be considered by everyone. Buy that DVD now.
Can be watched with a typical Indian family? YES
