There is no despair so absolute as that which comes with the first moments of our first great sorrow, when we have not yet known what it is to have suffered and be healed, to have despaired and have recovered hope. -- George Eliot
It is not true that suffering ennobles the character; happiness does that sometimes, but suffering for the most part, makes men petty and vindictive. -- W. Somerset Maugham
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INTRODUCTION
There are movies that make you think. There are movies that make you cry. There are movies that make you laugh (in misery and happiness). There is only a selected few that will reach audience and influence them. They are made in such a way that it would touch a person so deep that it would reside in one’s memory for a long time. Emotionally draining movies last in one’s memory for the very effect of the emotions it causes in one. In Kollywood, there are some classic movies that are made like this. In the recent past, sethu was a classic example of one such movie. One movie has caused tremendous impact in me and increased my admiration of an actor to its zenith.
The movie is Mahanadhi and the actor is none other than the best in India, Kamal Hassan. Kamal Hassan is known for his versatility and experimental attitude. Mahanadhi is surely one of his best movies.
Mahanadhi is an emotional drainer, which is free of unwanted manipulation many directors resort to. This powerful drama is void of any unwanted sentiments. Kamal delivers a knockout performance in this under-rated classic of Tamil Film Industry.
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THE PLOT
Krishnaswamy(Kamal) is a loving father and a simple widower who leads a peaceful life across Cauvery river banks (You see surprise scenes of Cauvery flowing with water!). He names his daughter after the river and is leading an idyllic life in a serene atmosphere with his two kids and his Mother In Law. A smooth talker (Haneefa) enters a town. This pimp smoothtalks him into investing in a chit funds business, by temping him with his pimping. He moves to the city after selling off everything. He is soon cheated and is thrown into jail.
He is met by Panchabakesan(Poornam Viswanathan), who meets him with his daughter Yamuna(Sukanya) for Krishnaswamy’s matrimonial ad. Yamuna, who is a nurse, agrees to look after his kids and is ready to wait for his release. In the meantime, Dhanush sells off Cauvery to a deflowering societal bigwig and Bharani, krishnaswamy’s son gets lost. Cauvery ends up in Sona Gachi( A brothel in Kolkata) and Bharani in a Circus.
Amidst all this fiascos, Yamuna waits for Krishnaswamy and ultimately he gets released. He meets his family through an emotionally draining search and gets his revenge. The film ends on a happy note.
Cast: Kamal Hasan, Sukanya, 'Poornam' Vishwanathan, Haneefa, Shobana
Music: Maestro Ilaiyaraja
Direction: Santhana Bharathy
Running time: 162 minutes
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ANALYSIS
This movie has a simple oneliner plot. The hardships of an average man. This is so beautifully and so vividly portrayed by Kamal. He has done of the most favorable down-to-earth characters one has done in Indian filmdom. His portrayal of an average man gullible for temptation of riches, seduction by a woman with a questionable character and the unspeakable grievances he goes through and his attachment to the family. He is a victim to the core and becomes a strong man in Jail.
Kamal’s acting was simply class and there are innumerable scenes one can seen.
His expressions when he is tempted by the seductress
His acting when he is told that his daughter has attained maturity.
The way he cringes about not re-marrying someone else to dislocate his deceased wife’s memory
His meeting of daughter in Kolkata brothel (This sequence that makes you cry your hearts out)
His love scenes with Sukanya
His transformation from a simpleton to a learned and wise man
The music by maestro Ilayaraja is class. Almost all songs are listenable and melodius. “Srirangaranga rajan” song is beautiful in every sense. Picturization, lyrics, voice, music and the vastness of Tanjore Big Temple (More than 10 centuries old) is simply excellent.
Kamal over acts some times to bring out the best in him. He is a class act. No question about it. He was passed over for best actors award for that year. The scene where he breaks down when his daughter utters unhearable bad words in sleep makes you break down in tears. This is exceptional piece of acting.
Villainous role by Haneefa is applaudable as well.
Everyone else have done a great job, when it comes to acting. VMC Haneefa is a natural, so is Shobana and Sukanya.
Direction by Santhana Bharathi (A Kamal aficionado), is good.
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CONCLUSION
Mahanadhi (Big River, named after the river that flows through Orissa), is a classic piece of Indian Cinema. It is a tour de force. It makes you think. It is a riveting piece of cinematic excellence. One man has made it much more watchable. Kamal Hasan is a great actor. This one piece of excellent acting from the maestro.
All of us suffer one time or the other. Not all people lead a non-suffering life. Not all movies can be entertaining and happy ones. Life is not like that. You need to know about the bad things and what they may cause you. You need to see movies that will feed you information with the heaviness of suffering. Some movies should let you know how blessed you are in this world. If a movie teaches you a lesson, it has done the job it was made for, in the first place. This movie has a lot of take aways for all.
Do not miss it for any reason
I Hope you liked my review. Do RRC, when time permits.
KALIL
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What is deservedly suffered must be borne with calmness, but when the pain is unmerited, the grief is resistless. – Ovid
The mind is seldom quickened to very vigorous operations but by pain, or the dread of pain. We do not disturb ourselves with the detection of fallacies which do us no harm. -- Samuel Johnson
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