Natchathiram Nagargiradhu

There are two types of movies - one where things seem normal until the caste angle comes into the picture (eg., Kaadhal, Vazhakku en) and the 2nd is Pa Ranjith, Maari Selvaraj movies where everything revolves around characters oppressed by caste. The problem with the 2nd type of movies - the makers care more about the ideology rather than the drama (or) the screenplay making it a preachy documentary rather than a entertaining movie.

Thats the main reason this movie is not for everyone. However if you are an ideological person and one who criticizes society, this movie and it's world is for you.

Pa. Ranjith's new movie feels a personal statement to "Naataka Kaadhal" but that is not the movie is all about. The story revolving around a drama troupe at Pondicherry, a group full of people with varied opinions (political or otherwise). As they try to prepare for a play on love, the clash of ideals brings out the differences and the eventual impact on the individuals. If one thinks this is all there is, the third act throws in a terrific surprise elevating the movie.

Rene aka Tamizh being the central character, one of the many characters that are written to mirror the society's harsh reality, is the best written one. The character of Arjun is the one with a better arc as he stands for everything wrong in prejudiced upper caste male with no understanding of political correctness. The narrative that is mostly conversational is effectively merged into the on screen play which stands out for the set design and make up along with the performances, firmly aided by those songs.

I am surprised how i didn't feel the runtime at all and that is solely due to the surprise character entry in the third act, as mysterious the character is, it directly felt like an interaction beyond the screen. The rebels vs the self proclaimed protector for the society, a top notch touch towards the end. To point out the shortcomings, though thr story dwells into genderless love as well, the same sex love stories and the trans couple story gets reduced to dialogues.

A pretty bonkers movie completely devoid of Tamil cinema love stories that we have seen so far. This film will have mixed reactions as it is so off the wall that I can't tell this will be appreciated unanimously. Ranjith has delivered something world-class, he is back with a tale that has all the usual themes but deals with twisted love and all kinds of love. I am not a huge fan of P. A. Ranjith as a director but have a liking for projects he is on board as a producer. He has supported new concepts in his Neelam Productions despite the shortcomings in the production. I have followed his stint as a producer and appreciate his ability to pick unique stories, even his recent outings have the stamp of an auteur in the making and you can check out my 'Kuthiraivaal' and 'Seththumaan' review.

This experiment or an attempt by PA Ranjith to tell about Compassion, Love, the political tragedy without being too elitist or kitsch. I never expected it to be this good in such a way it does not look vulgar separating itself from the usual films we have seen in Tamil cinema. The theater setting was a good gambit, it evoked polar emotions as we travel with the characters plunging into screen with surreality. I despise filmmakers self loathing by making a very personal film, it is better if they keep it in a safe locker. Well, Ranjith's film is a personal cinema but doesn't over indulge in Kasthapadra Vada Chennai folks with existential crisis and dealing with errors in the system. In 'Natchathiram Nagargiradhu' it is impossible for Ranjith to let go of the politics as the characters discusses Dalit love. But this remains as a revelation of the characters and hard hitting dialogues. The basic human feelings, fears, banal truth about relationships which is often ignored is spoken out loud as Ranjith shares with the audience part of his inner life. I didn't like the comedy sequences involving Madeline, the French lady as it wasn't needed to push the narrative. But the rest of the characters go a long way from the first minutes of the film to the final credits with the completion of the play, sometimes pleasing to the eye. The Wild cat vs the Domesticated Cat reference was so relevant and deep. And the The I see a glimpse of arthouse influence here especially the works of João Pedro Rodrigues, Marcos Prado, Gaspar Noé, Aly Muritiba and Leos Carax.

Regardless, this is a film that is hard to compare with anything else. But, to be honest, I don't want to compare it. I recommend this to everyone as this film is a celebration love, a daring play on emotions.

Verdict: And, of course, one of the best films of the year.!

All my life I have suffered by the society in various scenarios. Being a child whose mom ran away!! I got to understand the dark side of this society at a very young age. Inequality is everywhere, from the drinking glass to job promotions... this movie helped me to understood on how to handle the anger that I built upon myself!!

Rene's laugh is inspiring a lot!! Thanks Ranjith!!

1. Tenma's music is awesome!! But it would have been better to have a different sound for the shooting star. Whole scoring is a beautifully wrapped with the story 2. I'm from Pondicherry... and this is the first movie which actually shows what the culture in this city that I have experienced!!!

3. I can see kalidas really understood the movie but his acting is not enough to register his character in my mind... like Rene, shabeer and Master, Hari !!

4. A guy who was inside the photo(karu arukapata pen) from the drama rehearsal acted really well!!

5. As per baddy's review, This movie is above all these good bad average terms 6. Movie like this will live in Tamil cinema forever.

RATED 9/10 Language: Tamil Source: Nil RECOMMENDED

From the beginning to end the movie is not deviated from the core subject. No extra scenes, sentiments and comedies. These are are very much positive points to the movie at the same time sidelines the movie into artistic one rather than entertaining one.

This is pure Art-Cult-Brave movie and must watch for every cinema lovers. The first half looks filled with more conversations and bit over done, might be I got this feeling because of all scenes shot in single location. The second half is bit breezy. The Movie is point blank at the same time it was funny in places.

The biggest strength of this movie is the dialogs. There is some hidden gem shots like "door with light rays on Buddha painting and the person sitting near the wild cat in climax" The climax fight is bit hurried wind-up but I liked this one. The "beach meet" after climax fight is cherry on top scene.

Must watch for everyone, especially who want to self analyse the love life...