Feb 01, 2007 02:35 PM
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(Updated Feb 01, 2007 02:36 PM)
Mani Ratnam’s Kannathil Muthamittal explores a universal theme of love, displacement, family and probes into issues of political unrest. It explores the emotional turmoil of a young girl in search of her biological mother, and the effects it brings upon her foster parents. Shyama(Nandita Das) gets separated from her husband within few weeks of their marriage, following the breakout of civil war in Sri Lanka. She ends up in an Indian Red Cross camp and gives birth to Amudha(Keerthana), but moments later she abandons her and goes away. She grows up in the household of her adopted parents Thiru(Madhavan), a renowned writer, his wife Indra(Simran) a TV news reporter and their 2 kids. On the eve of Amudha’s ninth birthday, Thiru and Indra break the ice and reveal her past, which torments her fragile heart. Thiru is bombarded with questions as he narrates Amudha how she was the cause in bringing him and Indra together when he decided to adopt her. However, she begins to feel alienated amongst her brothers and questions her own stand in the family. Engulfed by grief she flees home, but is rescued back.
She develops a strong desire to meet her biological mother, and once again flees home to the place of her birth to find out about her mother. Startled by her determination and considering the fragility of her emotions, Thiru and Indra decide to accompany Amudha in her search. They head to Sri Lanka, and are welcomed by Dr. Herold Vikramsinghe(Prakash Raj) a friend of Thiru who promises to help them in their search. Amudha witnesses disturbing events in Sri Lankan soil as the Tamil rebels fight against the military dictatorship, and the plight of innocent people losing their lives in the depressing onslaught. But the will of an innocent throbbing heart yearning for her mother endures her. As Thiru and Herold find the location of Shyama, and the news of her willingness to meet Amudha ignites tremendous joy in her. As Amudha and her foster parents wait for Shyama, they’re caught amidst the crossfire between Sri Lankan soldiers and rebels. Amudha decides to leave for home as Indra narrowly escapes from the face of death, and she doesn’t want to lose a mother for another, but…
Mani Ratnam was inspired by a Time magazine article in which an American couple took their daughter to Philippines to meet her biological mother.
The movie bagged a variety of awards including 6 National Awards and 4 International awards.
Keerthana leaves you bewildered and carries the entire movie on her delicate shoulders, delivering a convincing and exceptional performance.
Soul stirring music by A.R.Rehman, beautiful cinematography by Ravi K. Chandran and Sabu Cyril’s fantastic sets lend ample support to this crafted film.
A poignant human drama that follows a girl in search of her mother amidst social and political hurdles, endured by the inseparable bond of love.
