Power of Silence. Review on Mozhi Movie

There are at times we feel that the money spent on the ticket is worth the cost. “Mozhi” would certainly lead you to such a sense of satisfaction that we seldom experience aftermath a Tamil movie. Prakashraj could be tagged as one of the few producers who strive hard to choose meaningful movies consistently.

Two film musicians Karthick (Prithivi) and Viji (Prakashraj) move to a new accommodation where Karthick finds his better half in Archana (Jyothika) and only when trying to acquaint with her, he finds that she is both dumb and deaf. More resolved than ever he seeks the help of her friend Shiela (Swarnamalya) to get into Archana’s world of silence. Assisted (and sometimes hindered) by Viji, he pursues the love quest only to realize that he is not handling a typical neurotic deaf girl.

Having chosen a heavy subject for Mozhi, director Radhamohan sugarcoats the narration with a light-hearted but intelligent comedy. Unlike other comic capers, Mozhi is interwoven with heavy characterizations and a decent script. The tempo is set to laughter and each character is given breathing time to establish themselves. Beer party for Beethovan’s birthday, 4.5 milk Arjun, psychotic professor Basker who is stuck in 1980 etc indicates what is healthy humour.

It starts with an impressive re-recording sequence in a studio that not only sets the mood but also serves as an indicator to the forthcoming events. The sequence involves a romantic interaction between lovers that is first played only with dialogues with no background score. This gives the perspective of a deaf person who can only recognize our words through lip-reading and hence cannot hear any other noise in the surroundings.

The next difference anyone can identify from other movies is the seriousness shown for Jyothika’s characterization. She is not a typical self-pitied deaf girl as seen so far. She has a strong sense of independence and resolve. She can go to an extent of throwing off a friendship even if it slightly threatens her hardness. Jyothika’s groundwork on sign language is commendable. She fits into the role like a glove that I would say that it is her peak performance till date keeping in mind that this is the era of plastic acting by most of the northern heroines. The sign language used is so exhaustive that after the movie we could understand atleast 25% of the signs.

Prithiviraj is the likeable hero with the right mixture of comical and emotional flair. His role is the one that we can connect ourselves with empathy. Prakashraj is more than a sidekick. He plays the light-hearted friend and proves that he can adapt to comical roles too after being typecast as a sadistic villain these days. His encounters with the apartment secretary set the theatre in roaring laughter. Swarnamalya also provides adequate support to the cast.

The parody of bulb-and-bell sequence at various instances ranges from comical to situational. You have to watch the movie in theatre not just for the special effects but for the audience reactions. The bulb-and-bell sequence of Prakashraj is the classical example. (The last time I witnessed such a reaction from the audience is for Dhanush’s “Devathayai Kanden”. Though the movie didn’t perform at the box office, it was a pleasure to watch in theatres).

Vidhyasagar reaches new areas in his musical career. “Sevvaanam Selaikatti” song is refreshing just because of the peculiar voice of Jassie Gift. It is really a relief to listen to a song sung by some characteristic voice rather than some faceless singers. Though songs are also equally wonderful, the background score tops overall. The background score especially when Jyothika “listens” to Prithivi’s composition by vibration is the masterpiece. I have lastly seen such composition only in Illayaraja’s music.

“Mozhi” has all ingredients right with some minor clichés like Bhaskar getting cure instantly, the girl who instantly falls in love with Prithivi one-sidedly etc. but that doesn’t hinder enjoying the colourful portrayal of characters. There is very little melodrama despite handling a heavy subject and that is where I think director Radhamohan proves that he is a cut above from others. “Mozhi” is the power of silence.