Movie review : OK Kanmani
When inquired about his last two films not striking chord with the audience, Mani Ratnam’s reply was I think it was me. My narration went wrong. I failed to communicate lucidly, and failed to convey my story in an interesting and simple fashion. He is spot on. With an uncomplicated game, this time he went with lively characters in the busiest of Indian backdrops, Mumbai. The trademark Ratnamesque witty chatter between the lead pair, the cheer and the charm are well and truly back, albeit in his tried and tested urban rom-com setting.
Ok Kanmani, is a film about a young couple (Aadhi played by Dulquer Salman and Tara played by Nitya Menon) who end up living under the calming shadow of an older one (Ganapathy played by Prakash Raj and Bhavani played by Leela Samson) and the outcome of this consequence.
Aadhi happens to be a game developer and Tara wishes to study architecture in France. The proceedings in first half takes quite a few scenes to gather some substance and legitimacy, during which, a couple of sequences involving train reminds us of Alaipayuthey. In fact, the recurring theme throughout the romantic sequences is the instant recall of classic rom-coms of Mani Ratnam as well as others. The sequences that follow are cleverly packaged and clearly targeted at the end audience the film wants to attract, the indifferent and independent urban younglings. This happens to be one of the best aspects of the film-it doesn’t have needless narrative to cater all other sections. With very few tamil films that are clearly targeted, you can’t complain.
Even the backstory behind Tara’s inhibition towards the idea of marriage and the no-strings attached relationship between the couple are presented lightly. Following which, we get to see a slew of well written scenes - seeking Prakash Raj’s permission to move in together, Aadhi’s brother visit, the one involving supposed gynecological test, aadhi’s tryst with Tara’s mother, Tara’s conversation with Aadhi’s sister-in-law - all these oozes class. The underlying theme is not of conflict but how the couple get through these problems with ease. The lighter moments provided by Bhavani aunty (Leela samson) puts a smile on your face. In the due course, you get more invested in the other couple and you want to see more of them.
The background score is of highest order and you can’t have any complaints. I can’t stop mentioning the Daliesque watch in Tara’s room, so aptly fitting an aspiring architect’s room. The camera exquisitely captures cramped urban indoors and monumental jama masjid. But beyond a point, the film appears too light to go on any further, there is barely any conflict, but the older couple keeps the ship anchored. The degenerative nature of Alzheimer’s goes hand in hand with the rainy backdrop (one of Kurosawa’s troupes?). As the ship steers towards a reasonable ending, you wish to see the fate of the older couple along with the younger ones. There no melodrama or even drama in all these events, consistent with the lighter nature of the film.
Mani Ratnam, now nearing his 60’s, is able to cater to the tastes of the millennials, in which case even many other great tamil directors of past were found wanting, speaks volumes of his auteurism. This is one the recent tamil movies that satisfied most of viewers expectation and does put a smile on your face. Do watch it for that.
Rating : 4/5