Ayutha Ezhuthu (2004)

English translation: A Tamil alphabet

Director: Mani Ratnam

Story: Mani Ratnam

Cast: R. Madhavan, Suriya, Siddharth

Music: A.R. Rahman

Time: 155 minutes

Bottom-line: Bit over-dramatic, but highly relevant to today’s situation

Somehow, Mani Ratnam was able to predict the political situation in Tamil Nadu, in 2017, 13 years earlier, in this 2004 political drama. Ayutha Ezhuthu features an ensemble cast, with R. Madhavan, Suriya, Siddharth, Meera Jasmine, Trisha, Esha Deol and Bharathiraja.

 

Madhavan as Inba, and Meera Jasmine as Sashi

In the roads of Chennai, a ruffian, Inba Sekar (Madhavan) shoots another man, Michael Vasanth (Suriya), at point blank range. This is witnessed by Arjun (Siddharth). The story flashes back to the lives of each individual. Inba is a thug, who works for his brother, the main hitman of a corrupt politician, Selvanayagan (Bharathiraja). Selvanayagan’s main rival is an honest, “clean”, student leader, Michael, who even forgoes an opportunity to study in the US, to stand in the elections. This rivalry eventually leads to Inba shooting Michael (as seen in the start of the film). The witness, Arjun, is carefree and spoilt by riches. Despite being a man looking for quick success without working for it, he is inspired by Michael’s story and decides to support him, as they both team up and contest against Selvanayagan.

Siddharth as Arjun, and Trisha as his love interest,
Meera

The title refers to an alphabet which is written as three dots, each symbolising one of the lead characters. The narrative is somewhat like a hyperlink structure, but not all the way; it is more of an anthology film, with the shooting of Michael being the connection point of all three tales. The realism and relevance of the story to the current scenario is uncanny; the way Ratnam has portrayed the muscle power of the corrupt, the unison of students for a better cause, and the change of heart of the youth to serve the country rather than himself, is excellent. Of course, the drama with the romance, and the fistfights (and of course, the songs; not a good soundtrack at all), could have been removed to reduce a good 30 minutes of screen time; but if the message did get through, then that is a job well done.

 

Suriya as Michael, and Esha Deol as Geetha

This is probably the only film where Madhavan has played a villainous role; in every other film, he is as clean a hero as can get. With his haircut and body language, the look of a goon matches perfectly. The way he executes his role is amazing: the violence, the anger and the whole lot. Suriya, for once, plays a hero without the glamour. He doesn’t have the look of a student – even lesser so of a studious geek or a captivating leader – but apart from that, his acting was good. The encounter between Inba and Michael when the former tries to bribe the latter is one of the best moments of the film. Siddharth has done superbly; be it his flirtation, his carefree attitude, or his sincerity, he adjusts himself to the situation well.

 

Bharathiraja as Selvanayagan

Among the female leads, only Meera Jasmine had a chance to showcase her acting skill; the other two are nothing more than romantic interests. Bharathiraja plays the cunning, diabolical villain, and the way he portrays the corrupt leader is also accurate. Ayutha Ezhuthu should be watched for the message it is trying to get through: that the youngsters of today will be the leaders of tomorrow. This is made foggy by the other elements, but the film does have its strengths… and the acting, is a big plus.

My Rating: 3.5/5