Anbe Sivam (2003)

English translation: God is love

Director: Sundar C

Story: Kamal Haasan, Madhan

Cast: Kamal Haasan, R Madhavan, Nassar

Music: Vidyasagar

Time: 153 minutes

Bottom-line: Superb acting adds to an engaging storyline

The story of the transformation of two men, Anbe Sivam is one of the lesser known films of Kamal Haasan, featuring one of the best performances of Madhavan. The comedy-drama also stars Nassar, Kiran Rathod, and Uma Riyaz Khan.

Bhubaneshwar airport: An advertisement film maker, Anbarasu (Madhavan) – who prefers to be called A. Aras – engages in conversation with a scarred, convivial man, Nallasivam (Haasan). Aras is going to get married in Chennai, and Sivam is also headed there to deliver a cheque worth 32 lakh rupees, earned after winning a court case for union workers. When the flights are cancelled due to floods, both men end up sharing a room in a hotel. Aras is annoyed by Sivam’s sarcasm, humour and light-heartedness, and repeatedly tries to get rid of him, but never succeeds. By the time Aras does reach Chennai, Sivam has transformed him altogether, but not before we get to know the change Sivam himself has undergone.

 

Kamal as Sivam (left), and Madhavan as Aras

From the start of the film, the aspect that is highlighted most is the contrasting characteristics of Aras and Sivam. The former is well-off, and expects anything to be obtainable using enough money. He is reluctant to stay in a 2-star hotel, in a situation where so many people have their houses washed away; he always grumbles about the backwardness of India (a land where you don’t get service even if you have money, he says), and he even shortens his name from Anbarasu to Aras, saying “Enaku anbu pudikaadhu” (I don’t like ‘love”). Sivam is a witty, sociable man, adjusting to everything and everyone. He has his own philosophies, often contradicting the ideologies of Aras. His character’s background also remains an enigma till he narrates his story.

Till that point, Anbe Sivam is entirely a comedy – again, mainly thanks to the polar opposite natures of the lead characters. In Sivam’s flashback we see a tale involving love, altruism, religion and twists of fate, all of which have changed Sivam from the talented, innovative artist with a regular life, into the scarred “wiser and older man” we first see at the airport. These themes are explored till the end, with a recurring theme being “Who is God?” Is He the person who forgives all your sins when you make donations worth thousands? Is He the person who can empathise with a complete stranger?

Madhavan’s acting is a class apart here. He portrays through his character all the traits we associate with any well-off white collar Indian worker (till Sivam bitingly points out that a person like him is nothing but a “selfish coolie”!). The chemistry between the two is really good (unlike their collaboration much later in Manmadan Ambu), whether it is in the comic scenes in the hotel room, or on the way to Chennai, or whether it is during the more serious exchanges. Kamal Haasan’s acting is also wonderful. He puts in a lot of effort to maintain the appearance of a cripple, but still can control his expressions and voice to have that sense of humour. His skills are even more evident when we see his past life, so very different from the present one. Nassar plays a scheming villain: ultra-devotional on the outside, but corrupt on the inside. The scene that brings this out best would be the one in the hospital where he gives the “last message” to Sivam.

A must-watch for all Kamal and Madhavan fans, Anbe Sivam impresses with its amazing performances and unconventional themes, and a solid screenplay.

My Rating: 4/5