Mandela (2021)

I am writing after 5 full years. That counts for something, doesn’t it?

Or let’s just say I am slowly trying to not scrape off what I write.  

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What would we do without movies amazing movies, especially during a pandemic?

The world has by now processed, adjusted to, and accepted the dynamics of a pandemic. What was once part of a history textbook with the visuals left to the imagination, is now our reality.

But aren’t we the luckiest of the lot, yet again? To have access to the internet, music and time?

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Given the current circumstances, when everyone with a screen is craving for something/anything to beat their blues, while already having spent hours searching for something to kill time, a few brave passionate minds have managed to create some good cinema.    

Mandela (Tamil) is one such piece.

This is not a movie review. More like an appreciation post for all those struggling artists who do not give up. Especially every hand and mind that worked on Mandela. Because, such cinema (cinema, and not just some story) needs all the support and recognition by us (morons) audience who are the intelligence and reason behind their fame for all the right and wrong reasons.

No Page-3 celebrities in the star cast, no over-the-top unnecessary action, no ‘entertainment’ of any kind. A straightforward plot, a sharp authentic script, and modestly faultless acting and direction – Textbook cinema (for me). I think that’s what kicked me. Hell, even the Tamil is not the Tamil I have ever heard and I could not recognize anyone except the main male lead. For someone who enjoyed the movie solely depending on the subtitles, I know what it would have felt like for the rest.

In the first 10 mins of the movie itself, the viewer is hinted about the plot – the malice of the Indian caste system in a village. Simple enough? Well, the movie is more than just that. The script centered around elections for the President of the village, steers you into understanding that the movie may be about the typical life and order of the SC/ST caste. But, halfway through, with a sizeable amount of humor that will heartily make you hi-five any wall around you (if you watch it alone like me), the movie releases mini-plots and leaves you to wonder what is it all about (Is it about the sibling rivalry which is also castist, is it about who will win the election, or is it about the Dalit character?)

Mandela neither celebrates one cause in particular nor does it glorify or highlight the life of the underprivileged in the usual monotone pattern; it won’t let you pity the characters even for a moment. Yet, it manages to give you a big slice of bitter-sweet-sour-tender textures. There is such restraint in every aspect (dialogue & acting) of each actor chosen for the respective characters, it feels perfect. Every character had a story (a beginning, an end, and the journey) which was explained so seamlessly, it is remarkably discreet.

1. Esaki (Kalki) - Up until 3/4th  of the movie he has pretty much just one dialogue ("Venda Maam"). He does it so smoothly, it will annoy you to twist your fists. Then swiftly and unexpectedly, the considerate side of the character is brought out in merely one moment (not a scene, a moment), you forgive him instantly. I could not decide what was I proud of – the director’s vision of the character or the actor himself. Throughout the movie, this man barely had any lines; a few words, over and over again. Yet you will fist-bump when he nails his last dialogue, which is again two words – “Chomb-e Podum”. I cannot remember when was the last time I noticed an unnoticeable character who actually had a story and applauded him.
2. Periya Ayya (Sangili Murugan) The lead old man – All about swag, subtly. Take a bow, Thaatha.
3. And Smile (Yogi Babu) - This man's performance is close to being worthy of a national award. Every eye blink, every smile, every wince – Ah! You will adore him by the end of the movie. You will find yourselves questioning if he played down the character and still realize that it was indeed precise. Even those gradual moves where he picks and lifts the comb and shaving kit. Heart-melt.

A sincere, hilarious political satire with some exceptional performances. It is an admirable movie with an important and relevant message involving honest characters. I feel gutted when movies like this cannot reach out to everyone, when it cannot make the numbers it deserves had it been released on the bigger screens. 

Nevertheless, Thank you and Congratulations, Madonne Ashwin.