Nadigayar Thilagam - Que Rica Vida!

Ah!

Keerthy Suresh (KS).

Hmmm.

I have never been an admirer or even a fan of her.

The reason is as straightforward as a Sachin's textbook straight drive!

Her ebullient inscape drives her to buoyantly act more than for what she is written a cheque or to use Paytym's phraseology - "Paytym Pannu" (Translation: Use Paytym) her money for the film by the Producer that she has acted.

It's not that she gets under our skins at all times but when she does go overboard, it's like a caricature is artistically done for another caricature.

But, in Nadigayar Thilagam (NT), she fits the role like a fist to a glove.

Be it a teenager who is starry-eyed about famous heroes or the clap-worthy scene where she brings just and only just one drop of tear from her eye or a compulsive alcoholic who even forgets her own children and gets swindled by her trusted person in broad daylight or the selflessly large-hearted nature which propels her to touch the lives of many - KS has done a ridiculously remarkable performance that will definitely be adorned as a feather in her cap for her toiling sweat and tears, pun intended, for NT.

Yep.

That was one huge paragraph like the movie's duration.

Yet, there wasn't even a single dull moment sans the climax where Samantha's monologue was more than glorification or acclamation for Savithri's wonderful personality on/off stage - Samantha was apotheosizing.

It was like the legend Savithri had taken a rebirth in the form of KS and wanted to relive and retell her life in its entirety all over again on the big screen to enthrall her fans through Samantha.

Speaking of Samantha, she had a stammering but breezy and meaty role where she played her part to perfection - the church scene or her indefatigable spirit to get to the bottom of Savithri's dad.

As we are on the subject of Samantha's dad, it was a good narration to have flowed out NT as a jigsaw puzzle rather than a monotonous exposition of Savithri's life.

Just as I was wondering who was the person mentioned in the letter, the director aptly gave us the answer in the fag end of the film thus neatly wrapped it up like a Subway Sub.

But, what I couldn't understand is that when Prakash Raj could take the extra effort and speak with KS's uncle about her relation with Dulquer, why didn't he or wasn't even shown anywhere when KS was in a dire financial distress and strained circumstances?

It beats me!

Since I have touched upon Dulquer, he has simply aced being Gemini Ganesan (GG) as the Lover King (Kadhal Mannan) as he was affectionately called with the moniker by everyone in the cine circle.

Only GG's family will know for sure to the exact extent that he was projected in a bad and dark light throughout NT.

The BGM was hair-raising and inspirational.

No wonder Samantha extolled her virtues and exalted Savithri to such a degree.

Of course, I can't comment anything about her acting prowess in Telugu as I haven't watched any.

But, from whatever she had done her roles in Tamil, if not all at least some that I had the privilege to see in my childhood days, she was really good.

As we are nicely surfing on the topic of Telugu and really good, it was also really good that the movie had subtitles because the majority of the film was in Telugu and to a non-Telugu speaking audience like me, it would have been a criminal waste of time and money if there hadn't been any subtexts.

To compress it like a WinRAR file, NT depicted the life story of not only the weals and woes of Savithri but also her unseen magnanimous side off the screen that has deservedly earned her the name "Mahanadhi".

Respect Savithri mam.

For the full richness of life that she has lived - be it financially or immense appreciation and adoration from all quarters in her professional arena or her ups and downs in life or her kind-hearted nature.

And, yes.

Respect KS.

Still, I am not your fan.

But, a towering respect for the way you have easily handled the deep mix of emotions with such finesse.

I sincerely hope that your over-exuberance is tightened a little so that your complete range of acting talent is in full view like NT instead of the hyper-animation.

Only the future holds the fact whether I become your fan or not.

For now, respect respect respect.

PS:

The best is always reserved at the end.

Coz the dessert is served at the end, right?

There was a dialogue where a popular yesteryear actor - Sivakumar - was mentioned.

The moment his name was uttered, many in the audience immediately turned their heads towards the commendable actor and dad, of the supremely talented - Surya and insanely sunny - Karthi, who was seated in the back row.

For a fleeting moment, most of them had their focal point of attention on Shivakumar than Savithri.