A dream duet once again! -- Mozhi
WORTH YOUR WHILE: Mozhi
Mozhi
Genre: Comedy
Director: Radha Mohan
Cast: Prithviraj, Jyotika, Prakashraj, Swarnamalya
Storyline: Of a self-reliant young woman, for whom physical challenges are no impediments!
Bottomline: An enchanting plume on producer Prakash Raj's hat!
Duet Movies is steadily carving a niche for itself as a production house that backs quality projects. And `Mozhi' (U) is surely a film its producer can be proud of. Music and muteness meld to make a breezy love story with a dash of sentiment and plenty of healthy laughter in `Mozhi.' A plethora of talent parades the screen in the form of an able cast. Every performer makes an impact — you are not likely to forget anyone in `Mozhi' for a long time to come. Conceiving a simple yet poignant line, creating a screenplay that takes you along smoothly, and helming it, director Radha Mohan presents `Mozhi' with panache. And ably assisting him with his inimitable dialogue patterns that range from the sublime to the ridiculous, from the comical to the profound is Viji. This combo of `Azhagiya Theeyae' is at its best once again in `Mozhi.'
`Mozhi' showcases an apartment complex building, which houses many interesting people. Karthik (Prithviraj) and Vijayakumar (Prakash Raj) are film musicians living in one of the apartments in the complex. Archana (Jyotika) and her grandma live in another. It's love at first sight for Karthik, the moment he sets eyes on Archana. His feelings for her become even stronger when he knows that she is unable to speak or hear. However she shuns marriage — and with reason.
Prithviraj excels as the concerned boy-next-door, who laughs, cries and cracks jokes without going overboard. And as his fun-loving friend and confidant Prakash Raj has you in splits.
With a face that reveals a host of emotions, what strikes you most is Jyotika's subtlety and underplay. So what if the tongue and tympanum don't co-operate, she can take care of herself very well! Playing a differently-abled part is not new to Jyotika. But she's traversed a long way from her `Paerazhagan' days where she was a visually challenged girl. Overacting has no place in her work in `Mozhi.' As a fiercely independent person, who brooks no pity, she's outstanding. Swarnamalya in a supporting role does ample justice, but she ought to watch her girth.
Other meaningful roles
As a disturbed erstwhile professor, whose role is a mix of smile and sadness M.S.Bhaskar wins hands down. Brahmanandam of the Telugu screen is a terrific choice — the foibles of this building secretary are hilarious. Then there's his roly-poly son, Archana's grandma, the security guard (Balaji) in the complex and many more.
Scenes are rounded off beautifully in `Mozhi' — Mu. Kasi Viswanathan is the editor. Also deserving mention is K.V. Guhan (cinematography).
Kathir's colour schemes and art are exquisite in the apartment sets and in Jyotika's intro scene that has an apt film poster (`Mirattal Adi') in the background.
Vidyasagar's songs, his use of telling silence and the mellifluous `Kaatril ... ' as the theme music are rewarding. And crowning it gloriously are the lyrics (Vairamuthu). `Paesaa Madandhai ... ' is the only unnecessary sequence. The silent way of clapping and cheering is explained only later. So when the lead players do it in an earlier song, it is slightly puzzling.
"There's a story behind everyone," goes a line in `Mozhi.' Each tiny personal tale is seamlessly spun together to form an alluring whole.
Watch it to know that we do have makers who can astutely juxtapose the classy and the commercial. Watch it to encourage worthy cinema.
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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