Mudhalvan (1999)

English translation: The Chief Minister

Director: S. Shankar

Story: S. Shankar, Sujatha

Cast: Arjun Sarja, Manisha Koirala, Manivannan, Raghuvaran

Music: A.R. Rahman

Time: 171 minutes

Bottom-line: A highly inspirational political drama

One of Shankar’s most influential films, and my second favourite (after Anniyan), Mudhalvan shows us a glimpse of a leader we all need. Starring Arjun Sarja, Manisha Koirala and Raghuvaran in the lead roles, with Manivannan, Cochin Haneefa and Vadivel in the supporting cast, the film is one of the best political dramas that the Tamil film industry has produced.

Pugazhendi aka Pugazh (Arjun) is a cameraman working for QTV. One day, violence and riots erupt all over the city following a communal clash. As Pugazh captures these events on camera, he also hears the Chief Minister’s message to the police asking them not to involve in controlling the public or he would lose his supporters. Impressed by Pugazh’s heroics of carrying a dying man to the hospital, he is promoted to the on-air talent. His first task in his new position is to interview the CM himself: Aranganathan (Raghuvaran). In an unexpected turn of events, the interview exposes the corruption of the CM, and in his anger, he challenges Pugazh to take up the post of the CM for one day, just to know how difficult it is. Pugazh accepts, and much to Aranganathan’s woes, wins the admiration of the entire state in his one-day duty. Following this, the public wants Pugazh to contest in the next election formally. How Aranganathan and other corrupt parties obstruct his path, and whether or not Pugazh succeeds is what the film is about.

 

Raghuvaran as Aranganathan (left) and
Arjun as Pugazh (the interview) 

The best part of the film is the fact that the deviations from the main plot are kept to a minimum. The comedy track blends in perfectly, and only the romance part deviates the main track, but only to a minimum extent. To get a feel for the film, watch only the interview between Pugazh and the CM – that’s enough motivation to watch the rest of the movie. I can watch the interview followed by Pugazh’s one-day rule n number of times on a loop (except that one nonsensical fistfight). The climax is also smartly written, and is totally unexpected.

Of course, while the “one-day CM” is not a scenario that is likely to take place with the current state of politics in Tamil Nadu, watching the film does inspire you to “be the change you want to see”. It shows how it is very much possible to clean the cesspit that is politics, but we just don’t want to, because invariably, somewhere down the path of becoming a leader, we become corrupt. As Pugazh says, “In one day, I didn’t pull off anything extraordinary; I only did the duties of a CM, which if the CM had done right in the first place, the state would have been so much better off”.

 

Koirala as Thenmozhi

This is also probably Arjun’s best film; from being the cheeky reporter, to a romantic, to a CM, he executes his role to perfection. Manivannan and Raghuvaran have pulled off brilliant performances, the former being Pugazh’s right-hand man, and turning out to be the inspiration for Pugazh (and the viewers) to enter politics, and the latter playing the main antagonist. Manivannan, Haneefa and Vadivel also chip in with comic relief now and then. I blame Mani Ratnam for being responsible for making Koirala enter the film industry. Her performances in Indian and now Mudhalvan, where she plays a village girl and Pugazh’s love interest, are both horrible (What’s with giving the actress a name, Thenmozhi, which even she can’t pronounce!).  

Mudhalvan, barring the few needless fistfights and a bad lead actress, is one hell of a ride – entertaining and influential at the same time. A must-watch!

My Rating: 3.5/5