Thirakkadha

We have got only few examples in malayalam like ‘Lekhayude Maranam Oru Flashback’, ‘Premnazeerine Kaanmaanilla’, ‘Scene No. 7’, ‘Chiriyo Chiri’, ‘No. 20 Madras Mail’, ‘Udayananu Tharam’ etc which has got its theme discussing the issues related to the film field. One who is passionate in watching films will always love to see what is happening behind the cameras, especially the personal life of movie personalities. The latest example among such a series is ‘Thirakkadha’. This is script writer – director Renjith’s latest venture, it mainly revolves around a popular actress from south Indian cine field and her realtionship with another actor. The film has got artists like Prithviraj, Anoop Menon, Priyamani and Samvritha.

This movie starts with the story of a young director (Prithviraj) who is searching a subject for his second film after getting a good success for his very first film. He decides to take the life story of an actress (Priyamani) who was busy in the early 80’s. With such an intention he is collecting the necessary documents from those who were related to her in that period. Hearing the news, a co-star which has got an intimate relationship with her, becomes unhappy. He decides to prevent the task, but the hunt for details was still going on. Thus the (old) actress, who had left the field years before, was found in a pathetic condition and whether the young director succeeded in making such a subject is what ‘Thirakkadha’ deals with.

Priyamani, who got National Award for the best actress through ‘Paruthiveeran’ is doing the main character. She has glamorously done the first half area as an artist and the scenes in the second half showing the worse part of her life, creates sympathy. Both these areas have got an incredible performance. It reminds us the attitude of yesteryear actress Madhavi.

Anoop Menon who acted in many TV serials has got his first full length role here. He has also performed well in the role of a hero who comes to the film field in his younger age and later becoming a superstar in the. He has got the emotions and body language of a real star.

Prithviraj, as the story demands is a second hero here. It is he who creates a path for the subject to reach its peak. He has given simplicity in his acting. His boldness in being a part of such a different project should be appreciated.

But for me the real star is Renjith who is the creator of ‘Thirakkadha’. This film is the inspiration of the life of late actress Sreevidya. Her life and relationship with one of the super actor in the south is discussed here in a simple and straight way, but the way in which the hero character is portrayed, creates confusion on the audience. That difference is the success of a good script and its direction. (It is for you to watch and decide who is targeted as the hero character here...)

Besides discussing the various issues in the film filed, the director has also acted a good character here. He should have taken much more care in giving identity for characters who comes as hero’s companions like Nishanth Sagar, NL Balakrishnan and Samvritha (though she has got a couple of songs).

Music director Sharath (‘Kshanakkathu’, ‘Pavithram’ fame) is back here after a long gap. ‘Paalappo Ithalil...’ is a different tune, his background score is also good in the later portions. Cinematographer, MJ Radhakrishnan whom we can see in parallel films is now teaming with Renjith for the first time.

Thirakkadha (Screenplay) is the main back bone for any film. A dialogue in this movie is very relevant; it says... this is a life is in which there is no scope for a written screenplay.

It is good to praise other language films, but you should accept rare attempts like ‘Thirakkadha’ also.

Rating : 4 / 5