Nadigaiyar Thilagam - Movie review

The movie based on the life story of yesteryear super star actress Savitri, is already making waves in both Kollywood and Tollywood. First thought that came to mind while watching was, though touted as a bi-lingual, it felt more like a telugu movie dubbed in Tamil. Some of the dialogues from Savitri’s initial years were purely in telugu. Though not difficult to follow, the cast and the conversations, give it more of a telugu movie feel, which would’ve been intended I guess, considering that she came to Chennai and then only picked up the language. The story begins with the death of the Superstar and traces back her origins as a bubbly little girl and how fate took her all the way only to be bashed down to earth on a gloriously tragic fall. The narration grows as analyzed by Samantha, the reporter and through her conversations with her journalist colleague. The movie runs the risk of being a documentary and is saved by the screenplay.

Coming to the characterizations, the biggest let down to me was Dulqur as Gemini Ganesan. The fact that, he has managed to hold on to his own in depicting someone who has loose morals (as dictated by the society), a charmer all through, a ladies man harboring chauvinism bordering on villainy. Brining the real life Gemini Ganesan onscreen is no mean task for that person has several different shades to his character. Dulqur does it on his own style and considering that he is depicting a real life person, the comparison is inevitable and that is where he falls short. Especially his lady counterpart, the heart and soul of the movie, who has an even bigger un-enviable task of playing the lady superstar, not just aces her role, but sets so much high expectations on the rest of the cast. Pretty sure, Gemini ganesan’s family wouldn’t be thrilled by his portrayal and the makers can expect a few law suits already. Samantha, as the stammering reporter, who does all the digging around the rise and fall of Savitri, has underplayed her role to such an extent that, it felt as if she is already aware, even if she cries her heart out, the performance portions of the movie are already owned and the focus will never fully be on her. The rest of the characters gets blurred and are lost in the whirlwind of the legacy portrayed with such brilliance by Keerthy Suresh. I’ve to admit. I had never high hopes of her performance and despite all the reviews going gaga over her, was still under the impression that they would be paid reviews. But from the moment she comes on screen, I forgot that it was someone else portraying Savitri the superstar, but a candid camera act by the lady herself. Such is the visual similarity that, one can’t be faulted for thinking she is related to the superstar. She has bulked up for the character and for a mainstream commercial movie star, has bravely played the role of an alcoholic mom of a kid. Everyone else in her presence simply doesn’t register and what could’ve become a caricature of an effort, gets a new life on screen. Though the face cut match helps to a huge extent, be it the scenes  where she has to lash out or those tear jerkers typical of yesteryear films, Keerthy suresh has done an extraordinary job and deserves all accolades. She owes a major chunk of the credit to the star she has portrayed on screen, though. To me the stand out scenes where the confidence with which she asks “how many drops of tears” and the boisterous way she play acts in Mayabazar. Savitiri would’ve been proud.

Everyone remembers, “Singaravelane Deva” song from Konjum Salangai, for the magical voice of Janaki and the musical arrangements that compete with each other. There is a shot in the song, where Savitri, with a big bunch of jasmine bundled on her hair, gets up from her place, walks to the lamp and adjusts the wick, dubbing for the song in all sincerity with a warm smile on her face. If at all there is a need for picture perfect grace, one need not look any further. There is a shot from another song “Mayangugiraal oru maadhu”, which talks about the swaying mindset of a lady, caught in the whirlwind of love for her fiancé. Not sure if it was her swaying to the lyrics or the camera, it would be perfect symphony - of the song, the artist, the lyrics and the camerawork. Her face is one that can launch a million platitudes just for its grace. Though almost all of her movies are tear jerkers and full of melodrama, I couldn’t quite watch them fully, despite the million times it played on DoorDarshan, it’s her songs that I find unforgettable. Be it the way she play acts Ranga Rao in Mayabazar or her feigned anger in Missiamma, she is one lady who can hold on to herself amidst a galaxy of male superstars. As a kid I used to wonder why my parents cried their heart out whenever “Paasamalar” played on tv. As much they tried to brave it out, there will be tears and not just for them, anyone who could hold on to their own without breaking down watching the climax was touted as stone hearted. Guess human mind is really weird when it knows for sure that those on screen are acting and when such is the credibility that not just the first time, every time when it’s played it evokes similar response, says volumes about the capability of the actors. Being a superstar, her private life was hardly private and credit to the director for having the guts to bring it out on screen.

Gils verdict – A rags to riches to rags life story, of a lady superstar, married to an equally well known, but shown as highly insecure, philanderer of a movie star and their tumultuous married life adorned with cute heartwarming moments and plagued with ego clashes, leading to the ultimate fall, has all the ingredients of an Oscar winner of a script. Considering that it’s a real life story, only goes to prove that, fact is stranger than fiction. The Telugu title felt more appropriate for Tamil as well. Mahanadi - she is and will remain.