Movie review ‘Saivam’: Is an inspiring feel good family drama
CAST: Nasser, Baby Sara, Suresh, Baasha, Twaara, Geroge
DIRECTION: Vijay
RATING: ***1/2
After having worked with top heroes in Tamil, director Vijay has delivered a film Saivam sans any stars featured in it. He should be commended for handling a sensitive issue of ‘Go Vegan’ without being too preachy. Since he has taken a leaf out of his own life experiences, it is straight from his heart and the end product turning out to be a breezy lighthearted family entertainer.
Kathiresan (Nasser) is a lovable bigwig of Kottaiyur village in Karaikudi. He believes in rural culture and traditional life and hence sticks to the age-old profession of agriculture. One of his sons Kumaran (Vicky) along with his wife Thenmozhi (Suchithra) and little daughter Tamizh Selvi (Baby Sara Arjun) lives with him. Kathiresan’s other sons and daughter along with their children arrive at their ancestral village after three years for the annual ‘Kovil Thiruvizha’ (Temple Festival). It’s a happy gathering where we get to see different kinds of characters including an English speaking kid Saravanan (Ray Paul), but he wants to be called as Shravan, a cute romance track between Senthil (Baasha) and his morai ponnu Abhi (Twaara), Tamizh’s bonding with the rooster Paappa which they nurture at home etc.
One day, Kathiresan and his wife Visalakshi feel petrified after they realize that they had forgotten a ‘nerthikadan’ (ritual promise to offer something to God if our wishes get fulfilled) promised three years ago. The entire family immediately associates this with their past adversities and unanimously decides to sacrifice the rooster Paappa which was grown for this purpose to Lord Karuppu during the village festival. Perplexed with the thought of offering Paappa, Tamizh devises a plan to save the former. The rest is whether Tamizh succeeds in her attempt with the film ending with a sentimental touch.
Vijay begins the movie with an introductory note that Saivam is dedicated to those who promote vegetarianism and those who work for animal welfare. To promote a debatable issue, you need utmost conviction and Vijay simply has done it. Without getting into complications, he has come out with an inspiring feel good family drama. Seasoned actor Nasser proves his mettle once again. Baby Sara of Deiva Thirumagal fame is a treat to watch. She hogs the limelight with her fine performance. All others who are newcomers including Luthfudeen Baasha, son of Nasser, Master Ray Paul do their part well. Actor George who is a regular in Vijay’s films and debutant Malathi who portrays his wife, shine with their natural feat.
Though the first half which establishes every character is bit slow and at times drags, the story picks up momentum once the rooster goes missing. Shanmugarajan as the fake astrologer in a brief cameo brings the roof down with his hilarious performance. GV Prakash’s rerecording warrants mention and Nirav Shah’s cinematography is topnotch.
