I have chosen to write a review on one of the classic films in Indian Cinema named Iruvar. It is a Tamil movie, the most popular, and one of the oldest south Indian language in the world. A 1997 film, it was directed by one of the ace directors of Indian cinema, Mani Ratnam. The film had a big ensemble of top rated stars together from different states of Indian film industry in the screen. It starred Mohanlal and Revathy from Malayalam film industry, Prakash Raj from telugu, , Aishwariya Rai and Tabu, Naasar and others. It is a feature film set in the 1950’s to 1980’s era of Tamil film industry and politics.
Plot:-
The film opening to the 1950s era, begins with Anandan(Mohanlal), a struggling actor, seeking opportunities to play a lead role in any film. Anandan, while practicing combat skills with sword props, for auditions of a forthcoming film meets Tamizhselvan (Prakash Raj). Tamizhselvan’s sarcastic poetry entangles him and Anandan into a small debate. Meanwhile Anandan is also impressed by Tamizhselvan's skills, requests Tamizhselvan to write a dialogue for him that would help him perform well in the audition.
Anandan’s acting skills combined with Tamizhselvan’s impressive dialogue wins him the role of a hero for the film. This develops into a strong friendship between the two. With his superstar status and ever growing fame Anandan is introduced to Tamizhselvan's political party which is led by Velu Annachi (Nassar). Anandan and Tamizhselvan marry Aishwarya Rai and Revathy respectively with the blessings of the party leader. When the friends return to Madras mixed emotions were awiting them. The production company of Ananadan’s film was closed due to financial difficulties while Tamilzhselven party has won the elections. During
The news of Pushpa’s demise due to a freak accident near her house upsets Anandan’s audition in next lead role shooting. Tamizhselvan travels down to console a grief-stricken Anandan of his wife's death.
Anandan receives an invitation to star in a lead role along with Ramani, a rising actress. Anandan is elated and asks Tamizhselvan to pen the dialogues. The film receives tremendous response upon release and becomes a huge success, propelling Anandan into fame. At this time, Tamizhselvan encourages Anandan to use his popularity to help the party gain attention. Anandan and his co-star Ramani fall in love with each other and they get married.
There is a major change in both these friends political career. The party leader Velu Annachi(Nassar) passes away handing over Anandan an important mantle in the party. This displeases Tamizhselvan who is under the impression Anandan can’t do much for the party as it isn’t his passion. Tamizhselvan is chosen as the leader against Anandan leading it too a split between them and birth of a new party lead by Anandan.
Anandan’s stardom and hold in the film industry paves his position to the new Chief Minister. Riots break out in many parts of the states which ultimately results in the arrest of Tamizhselvan.
Anandan meets a fatal accident along with his duputy while Tamizhselvan is released from the jail.
A distressed Anandan loses motivation after that as life begins to dawn upon him. During the wedding of the daughter of one of the party members (who served under both of their reign), Anandan and Tamizhselvan meet each other and share a gracious handshake. The wedding takes place in the same place where they first met, prompting some memories and sly smiles from both of them. At the end of the wedding ceremony, Anandan collapses. The next morning, Ramani finds Anandan immovable and dead in his sleep.
Tamizhselvan receives the news that Anandan has died. He attends the funeral but is unable to see the body as it is being dressed for the funeral parade.
Realizing that people there will always assume him as an enemy of Anandan, he heads back to the place they first met and in an emotional monologue, recites poetry mourning his friend's death which depicts the depth of their friendship. The film ends as Anandan's body is paraded across the streets, mourned by a legion of film fans and politicians, finally coming to the crematorium and being cremated.
Characteristics reflection to real world:-
The film “Iruvar” (the duo) is based on some of the real life characters and events of Tamil Nadu, India. This movie stands out as an inspirational movie on how a real life can be depited with such creative dynamics.
Here I would like to highlight certain the events and characters of both real life and in the scenes of Iruvar. I would like to give an elucidation by comparing both real life and creative situations.
> Actor M.G.Ramachandran, was shot by another actor M.R.Radha in real life.
> The same incident was shown as Anandan(Mohanlal) being accidentally shot in the shooting sets.
There was an Anti Hindi movement in Tamil Nadu (India) lead by Karunanidhi at Kallakkudi.
The same event was depicted in the movie where Tamizhselvan (Prakash Raj) is boycotting in the railway tracks. The beaty of creativity lies when the whole serious sequence is shifted to Tabu making it her introduction scene.
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This picture is one of them that were taken during MGR's campaign for DMK party in real life with Karunanidhi.
The movie depicts a more casual and intimate bonding between the two.
It is a song from a movie of M.G.R. - he use show lot of gestures in the songs. He is not so in performing dance. So he use to have many gestures in his film songs instead of dance steps. To attract the children's and audience he also use to play with childrens. One of the best example is referred as first clip.
Song from the (tamil) film - Anbe Vaa
As the character of M.G.R. is enacted by Mohanlal in the film Iruvar - he use to imitate the gestures and activities what M.G.R. does in his songs. It is easy to identify the character and the signifying meaning.
Song from the (tamil) film - Iruvar
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Vennila Vennila song was shot in sunlight without set lights. A brilliant work by Santosh Sivan, who also filmed Tajmahal from so many different angles which has not been able to be duplicated till today. He won the prestigious National Award in India for Best Cinematographer 1997.
One of the best movies of director Mani Rathinam. It is a great treat for the real cinema audience and film students in India. A proper blend of both real time events and creativity is well evident.
Conclusion:
It is a good example to analyze real life character into 24 frames cinema. We can’t portray as it is real in cinema. But we can give some similar gestures and events to compare the ideas – what the film maker needs. It is achieved perfectly through the film – Iruvar.
The review was informative and good
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