A heartwarming tale of love, respect, empathy, and friendship, the film raises pertinent questions about one's right to live on his or her terms.
A poster of the film 'Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai'. (X)
Gone are the days when people would raise their eyebrows over films centred on same-sex relationships. The taboo associated with such stories still exists, though.
Director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan, who made a notable debut with Lens (2015) almost a decade ago, has come up with his latest venture—Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai— that revolves around the love between two young women.
The film hit the headlines recently when the makers and actors attended a press interaction where they were asked quite a few discomforting questions. Since then, all eyes have been on the movie’s release.
A young woman reveals the presence of a special person in her life to her mother. The latter being a supposedly progressive person gives hope to the former about her life-altering decision.
However, the mother, who also happens to be a single parent, loses her cool when she learns that her daughter is in love with another woman.
The tension escalates when the girl’s lover, a doting but disapproving father, and a supporting friend come together to have a conversation about the relationship.
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai flaunts its women-centric approach from the word go. A middle-aged woman who emphasizes the need to be expressive and independent, a maid who regrets marrying off her daughter to a toxic man, and two girls who choose to lead a life together— the central women characters are rooted and fleshed out well.
A family drama. (X)
The two male characters in this female-driven universe, too, stand out with their portrayals despite them sharing contrasting views on same-sex relationships.
The complex, but emotionally-charged sequences are a delight to watch. Some of the dialogues are on point and simplify the intricacies associated with a taboo topic like this.
The scenario where self-proclaimed progressive people unknowingly embrace regression when they encounter things that are beyond their understanding is conveyed beautifully.
Despite Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai having a run time of less than two hours, the story takes a little time to reach the point of conflict. We realize what’s in store for the central characters. We know the mother is going to express her dissatisfaction over her daughter’s choice. Yet the long sequence featuring the four characters is a scream.
The predictability factor acts as a spoilsport in some scenes and too much dependence on dialogues in the latter half is a minor letdown. However, the questions raised by the young women in love are pertinent and logical.
Each central character in Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai has moments where they have excelled with their flawless reactions to the given situations.
Lijomol plays an emotional and stubborn girl impressively and she scores in scenes featuring her and Rohini. The latter, in the role of a concerned mother, depicts her part convincingly and her experience comes in handy.
Vineeth’s subtle and engaging performance brings the required tension to the flow of events. Kalesh as the unrequited lover provides the required support and is aptly cast.
Anusha, too, has scenes where she displays her talent. Deepa leaves a smile on our faces with her innocent expressions and dialogue delivery.
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai is a heartwarming tale of love, respect, empathy, and friendship. The movie questions the patriarchal society and its unwritten rules without being preachy.
The basic right to live one’s life on his or her terms is discussed with utmost sincerity. Above all, it treats all the characters with decency and is non-judgmental. The effort with which a delicate subject is handled nobly deserves a thumbs up.
(Views expressed here are personal.)
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