Thadavu review: A heartfelt drama that talks about the harsh reality of being a woman

The title of Thadavu (The Sentence) might give you the impression that it is the story of a prisoner. But Fazil Razak’s directorial debut talks about the hurdles and issues experienced by a middle-aged working woman and how she fights the odds in her life.

The story is set in a rural backdrop in the Palakkad district of Kerala. Many films by Malayalam directors Sathyan Anthikad and Kamal narrated rural stories but with entertainment value. Thadavu is different from them.

Geetha (Beena Chandran), a single mother and a nursery school teacher, works hard to make ends meet. She has a daughter each from two marriages. She files for a divorce case after her second marriage turns sour.

Geetha also has a history of clinical depression.

With insufficient income, Geetha looks for ways to meet her expenses. Her friends Hamza (P Subramaniam) and Uma (Anitha NM) always help her financially.

Geetha’s ex-husband and Sujith (Ishak Musafir), an auto driver who is in love with her elder daughter Neethu, are two crucial characters in the plot.

Meanwhile, two incidents take the movie forward. One is a local bank robbery by Moidu (Vappu), an aged man with liver ailments. The story speaks about the woes of poverty and the helplessness of the poor. But what leads Moidu to rob a bank is a debatable subject.

Later, it is shown that Moidu is offered treatment by the government after he is taken into custody by the police for bank robbery.

The second incident happens in the life of Geetha. A child dies of food poisoning after consuming food from the nursery school where Geetha works. She is blamed for the death.

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Geetha loses her job in school, and she starts working at a petrol pump. She also had to vacate the house as she had to pay her debts.

Even as she starts living alone, she is diagnosed with a tumour. Her friends try to help her but in vain.

So, Geetha and her friends decide to pledge a gold chain in the bank. The chain belongs to the husband of Geetha’s friend Uma. Sadly, at the last minute, they learn it is a role gold chain.

Meanwhile, Geetha finds a lost child on a bus. She is accused of kidnapping and taken into custody.

The director does not spoon-feed the audience here, saying that Geetha is now in a better place where her health issues will hopefully be addressed.

Powerful performances

Debutant Fazil Razak’s film tugs at your heartstrings with some realistic, heartwarming sequences and powerful performances.

Beena Chandran, as Geetha, delivers a commendable performance. Her helplessness is evident in her face throughout the movie. Though helpless, Geetha never gives up and does her best to overcome the hurdles life throws at her.

P Subramaniam, as Geetha’s friend Hamza, is brilliant. Not often such a warm relationship is shown in films. Hamza also provides some lighter moments in the flick.

Anitha NM, as Uma, is too good.

Ishak Musafir as auto driver Sujith and Haritha P as Neethu are impressive.

Mridul’s cinematography captures the aesthetic beauty of the Palakkad district and elevates the scenes.

Vaisakh Somanath’s music is an added advantage for the movie.

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Final take

Thadavu is an emotional journey of how a woman tackles her issues. The movie is vocal about the warm relationships people share in rural areas and their willingness to help their loved ones in crucial times.

(Views expressed here are personal.)