Anandan struggles to get a foothold in movies while Selvan is a revolutionary poet who works for the upliftment of the downtrodden. Anandan uses Selvan's dialogs to make it big as a superstar among the masses. Ayya starts his own political party and Selvan is an important member of the party. Anandan later joins the party and uses his political clout for the success of his movies and vice-versa.
Selvan starts becoming jealous of Anandan's rise. Ayya's party wins the elections but Selvan becomes the chief minister as Ayya's health worsens. There are lots of allegations of corruption and Anandan doesn't fail to point this out. Anandan is thrown out of the party and goes on to start his own party. The government is brought down and in the ensuing elections, Anandan's party wins handsomely and he becomes the CM.
The members in Anandan's party aren't as service minded as Anandan and corruption allegations are thrown against his rule as well. All along, his relationship with Selvan is one of mutual respect and deep rooted friendship even though they are in opposite parties and Selvan is jealous of Anandan's rise.
Both the men have more than their share of romantic flings and aren't bound to a single woman. Anandan's encounter with his dead first wife Pushpa's lookalike, actress Kalpana is engaging to say the least. The 2 are totally diametric in their character but, Anandan is drawn to the young Kalpana.
In the end, nature takes its course and Anandan dies due to his ill health. Selvan repents for their eroded relationship and hopes to join his dear friend in the afterlife.
Review
- The acting is supreme be it Mohan Lal as Anandan, Prakash Raj as Selvan, Nasser or Rajesh. Living up to legendary characters in real politics is no mean task. Mohan Lal is a surprise fit for MGR though MGR wasn't as burly as Lal. His emoting capabilities don't need much elucidation. Prakash Raj towers above the rest and his climax performance is marvelous, worth the National award. His delivery of the pure Thamizh dialogs could have been better though.
- Aishwarya leads the female credits and her performance as Kalpana is refreshing to say the least. Aish as Pushpa, Revathi, Tabu and Gauthami are dignified in small roles.
- Among A.R.Rahman's best works be it the cult songs or the inspiring BG score.
- Santosh Sivan's cinematography is top notch as expected. Visual poetry like in all Mani films. Another award worthy show.
- Some needless songs. The editing department could have trimmed some of them.
- The dialogs by Suhasini are powerful and intense and helps create many cult scenes. The art work by Sameer Chanda is grand and larger than life. Fits the theme.
- Mani has portrayed Karunanidhi as positively as possible. Fear of rebuttal must have softened his stand given Karuna's atrocities against Brahmins in his young age.
VERDICT
Class written all over. Mani Ratnam's best work till date. Top notch acting, inspiring music and magical visuals aid him in creating this masterpiece.
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