Paradesi

Yet another classic from Bala ... At least that's how I perceive this movie "Paradesi" from him ...

It is a raw period film depicting 3 major things
1. Pathetic lifestyle of Tamils and their inability to fight power
2. Cruel British and selfish Indians exploiting common for their well being
3. Cunning missionaries exploiting homeless/brainless people to spread their religion

All three were convincingly depicted by the director, and the cast has done a great job portraying the roles they were asked to do with great perfection.The Tea Estate supervisor and Vedika to me was exceptional. The music to me was not a master piece and may be, just may be Bala lacked his favourite music director for this film. I am sure he is growing too big for Ilayaraja to compose for his movies :) I even believe the choice of Gangai Amaran for a song was because the maestro refused to sing for GV. The songs were pretty ordinary and nothing seems to rhyme in our minds after leaving the screens. The visuals though makes up for everything lost in music and it even makes up for more than that was lost. Though the colour tone was not pleasing to the eyes it did a great justice to the script and bring the rural Tamil Nadu in 1930s to our view. The dialogues were good from what I could understand and I am pretty much sure I would have to watch it few times to get each and every dialogue. It was hilarious in the beginning and makes u feel still in the later part of the movie. It will be very difficult though for A center viewers to appreciate the movie with such difficult dialect ! ! ! But I am sure Bala doesn't give a crap about them :) :) :) More importance could have been given to the looks and I feel there was no continuity when it comes to the hair do of the cast in the movie spanning for more than 5 to 7 years.

The final portion about forcing Christianity was too good and people who claim that they are doing something that has not been done in 75 yrs of Tamil cinema should look at this and stop boasting about what they do. The director has managed to convey exactly what he wanted to in a most simplest and effective way. "Rotti thundukku Alleluia pota kuutam thana" :)  Authenticity on this is always debatable ! ! !
It would even make some staunch followers to sit back and have a hard look at what their beliefs are today and what it was originally few decades back and where they stand because of their inability to question and reason.

Having said all this, I wonder if this is really a good feature film. The contents make a excellent documentary film. There wasn't great deal of effort from the director towards the screenplay and it lacked the punch required to tie all three together. The movie lacked a binding factor and that made it a a little boring.Had the director found a way to make the transition smooth without any hick up he would have scored an absolute winner by a far distance.

In conclusion this movie is completely a director's and it needs or rather demands appreciation from all quarters, No matter if they agree with the content or not ...  :) :) :) Hats off to Balu Mahendra for his students are taking Tamil cinema to the next level literally. He should be a real proud father of his kids like Bala. Only he can make such a Movie.