Cast: Atharva, Anandhi, Lal, Rajshree
Director: Sargunam
Rating: **1/2
Chandi Veeran is a movie that portrays shortage and abundance, and how even the most basic of human necessities cannot be taken for granted. When a fact of life such as water is in dire shortage (in addition to being impure beyond consumption,) one probably wouldn't wait around and procrastinate till dehydration and death kicks in. And in this movie, director Sargunam and actor Atharvaa have infused a script based on humans and water with a strong sense of reality and have brought it alive on screen. Some questionable decisions aside, the movie is rather believable and would make you take the situation with a little more seriousness.
The movie kicks off with Paari (Atharvaa) - a young dude who had recently returned from Singapore to his native village near Tanjavur. Paari is chatty, energetic, perhaps a bit annoying with his constant drivel, pranks, and hogwash, but is at heart, a good chap. On one hand, he comes across the irresistible Thamarai (Anandhi) and a romance of sorts kindles between the two. And on the other - while the romance has provided him with a new lease on life - he needs water to sustain this newfound personal pleasure (cleanliness, hygiene, and hydration for instance.) What he instead finds is that his neighboring village has an acute shortage of water and people would soon have to abandon or perish if a solution is not found.
What then follows is an attempt to negotiate an agreement between the two towns, which the director has used to showcase some of the worst and best aspects of human nature.
Although the significance in Chandi Veeran has been portrayed with a lightness of touch, the movie is not without its downsides. The different elements of the narrative have only a loose connection at best, and a number of scenes might leave you with the feeling of drifting without direction. There is also one too many mini-romances between Paari and Thamarai. What does shine through though is Atharvaa's energetic performance. He highlights the peculiarities of his character with great tact and enthusiasm. Whether one finds his behaviors to be agreeable or not, they will surely leave you amused. Anandhi as his love interest is a great fit for the 'irresistible village girl,' albeit the director might have abused the 'cutie on a scooty' look a bit too often, making it feel like an advertisement! Lal as usual in a villainy role scores! In her limited scope, Rajshree after a gap as Atharva’s mother has given a good performance.
On the technical side, Muthiah's camerawork and Sabesh Murali’s background score add value to the film.
