Readers Write In #613: Assorted Thoughts / #AskBR on Maamannan

By Krishnaraj Sambath

1. Keerthy Suresh wearing white sneakers in focus – I didn’t know what to make of it. It definitely stood out. (somewhat like Rajni wearing sneakers in a bald-iyer getup in Nee Nadandhaal Nadai Azhagu from Baasha.) Apart from that, it’s hard to think of anyone else but Keerthy with the trifecta of acting prowess, grace and language fluency.

1. Loved that burst of lyrics in the middle of the Kodi parakura song. “Pazhaya pazhaya paata Thirupa Thirupa pottu Pannadha pannadha setta” – Did ARR just invent a new style of composition?! Terrific! 

1. I found the violence in the film to be too much to handle, particularly the scenes involving Fahad Faasil. I find it difficult to believe that such people exist in real life. Also, I understand his punch of Arasiyal vs. Adayalam, but all those nuances got burnt in his “scorching intensity”. Lastly, he looks so fit (and out of place!) compared to everyone else around him (who look more realistic).

1. Why was the Chief Minister talking directly to some nominees at local elections? Aren’t there any intermediate leaders? It’s like Company Vice President talking to Shift Supervisor. Also why did the CM have a definitive non-native tamil accent? Any sub-text I’m missing? I just couldn’t buy any of that.

1. I understand the perceived hierarchy of animals, with pigs at the bottom. However, I have a naive but genuine question: isn’t the reason for this hierarchy rooted in hygiene?

1. Vadivelu was good. Really good. I loved the bit where he cordially receives Keerthy and friends and smoothly hands them over to his wife. In a few scenes, it seemed (either in my head or on screen) that Vadivelu was restraining himself from cutting loose into his comedic zone. Casting him was always going to be a double-edged sword.

1. Mari Selvaraj had said that Vadivelu’s Esaki character in Thevar Magar was an inspiration for Maamannan. How I wished that Maamannan was indeed the same Esaki 30 years later, spinning off another cinematic universe (MCU) from Kamal’s legacy! Just the thought of it gives me a high. And raises some problematic questions. What would Kamal do in that spin off? If Kamal had played Azhagamperumal’s role, would he have stood by Vadivelu in the flashback? How would Athiveeran’s life have been? Kamal’s kid (Fahad) certainly wouldn’t have been this caste-possessed barbaric antagonist.

1. I couldn’t make out what Fahad was thinking post climax (despite that voice over). Will he be a hindrance to Vadivelu’s term and come back for revenge in the next election? Or will he become a “good” man, courtesy Jyothi’s influence? (Am I too spoiled by Tamil Cinema conventions, save a few, of happy endings? :D)