Chennai
Though it’s a frame-by-frame remake of the Hindi film, Radha Mohan has penned the script in such a way that it works well with the audience down south, without giving us the vibe of a remake film. This apart, Kaatrin Mozhi shows us what an experienced artiste like Jyotika can do when she’s at her best.
The film begins with Vijayalakshmi (Jyotika) participating in a lemon-spoon race organised by her son’s school. That very scene explains the audience what kind of a person she is. A happy-go-lucky housewife, who always dreams of big things but finally settles down for the second best.
Within a few minutes into the film we learn that she had failed Class 12 not once but twice and has been constantly demotivated and reminded of her failures by people around her. While she wanted to work or start up a business, her family commitments don’t allow her to pursue one. Things change drastically, when she gets invited to a radio station to collect a pressure cooker, that she had won in a lucky draw.
Her impressive nature and sweet-talking potential land her in the role of a radio jockey for an ambitious late-night show, which eventually affects the routine life of her husband Balu (Vidharth) and her son. The film is all about how she manages to walk on the tightrope between her overnight fame and domestic responsibilities and emerge victorious.
Vidharth has performed exceptionally well as a middle-class husband who tries his best to keep his wife happy despite lots of pressure at work. The scenes in which he tries not to hurt his wife but ends up doing so have bought the best in him. MS Bhaskar’s character as Neelakandan gives us some lump in throat moments, that stays in our hearts for long. Mayilsamy and Manobala’s role serves the audience the much-needed comic relief, between the serious play in the second half. However, this tonal shift, that of a fun film to a serious drama, makes the screenplay a little clumsy.
This is the only drawback, as Radha Mohan has managed to fill every other loopholes that the original has missed. Jyotika has carried this film entirely on her shoulders with her refined, yet fun and affable performance. The audience will get to see that impulsive and enthusiastic Jo, who they have admired in films like Kushi and Manmadhan, with some amount of realism to it. The low-key background scores by Kaashif, which swell only during dramatic moments, is a big plus.
Overall, Kaatrin Mazhi is a beautiful entertainer that revolves around feminism, realism, love, family and a lot more.
Kaatrin Mozhi
Cast: Jyotika, Vidharth, Lakshmi Manchu, STR, Sandra Amy, MS Bhaskar, Yogi Babu, Manobala, Narayan, Mayilsamy
Director: Radha Mohan
Composer: AH Kaashif
Synopsis: A happy-go-lucky housewife, Vijaylakshmi, lands in a role of a radio jockey for a late-night show. Though her job gives her solace, as days pass by, her personal life goes for a toss.
Rating: 3.5/5
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