Review: Thandatti
‘Thandatti’ is a moving romantic rural entertainer that seems to have been made with all of director Ram Sangaiah’s heart.
Film: Thandatti
Director: Ram Sangaiah
Cast: Pasupathy, Rohini, Vivek Prasanna, Ammu Abhirami and others
Cinematography: Mahesh Muthuswami
Music: KS Sundaramoorthy
Producer: S Lakshman Kumar
Duration: 128 minutes
Rating: 3 stars
‘Thandatti’ is a moving romantic rural entertainer that seems to have been made with all of director Ram Sangaiah’s heart.
The film basically revolves around two characters — Subramani(Pasupathi), a constable who is about to retire, and Thanga Ponnu (Rohini), an elderly woman who, after being disillusioned with her huge family, chooses to walk out of her home.
The story starts at a time when Subramani has just 10 days left to retire from the police force.
A boy comes to the police station to lodge a complaint that his grandmother, Thanga Ponnu, has gone missing. It is not long before three other women too come to the station to lodge the same complaint.
At the request of the boy, Subramani chooses to investigate the case. He accompanies the boy, who is Thanga Ponnu’s grandson, to the village and aid him in his search for his grandmother.
On their way back, the boy tells Subramani that all the women who lodged a missing complaint that morning along with him were Thanga Ponnu’s daughters and that they were more interested in his grandmother’s Thandatti or gold earrings than they were in her well being. For Subramani, this case means much more than just finding an old lady who has left home. It is unique and holds considerable significance. Why is this case so important to Subramani? Thandatti gives you the answer…
The film starts off on a light-hearted note and tries to stay that way for the most part. But by the time it ends, it invariably turns into a romantic drama.
Ram Sangaiah has tried to showcase life in the rural sector as it is. He shows how ungrateful and self-centred human beings are on the one hand and on the other, also makes an attempt at highlighting the crushing impact caste had on women’s liberty, especially with regard to making life-altering decisions.
The film has some impressive performances coming from its lead actors. Pasupathy, as always, delivers a neat performance as the duty-conscious cop.
Vivek Prasanna as the drunk, irresponsible son of Thanga Ponnu also impresses.
Rohini, who plays Thanga Ponnu, comes up with a commendable performance as well.
K S Sundaramoorthy’s background score is pleasant and goes well with the proceedings on screen.
Thandatti might not be an exceptional film, but it is an honest and sincere attempt at telling a very touching story.
