Puthukudithanam

Director: R. Raghuvasan

Cast: Vignesh, Manthara, Lata, Ramji, Manivannan, Senthil, V.A. Murthy, Kovai Sarala

It is a film that does not boast of a great star cast. Nor is it one that had any great publicity or hype surrounding it. So the audience do not go to see the film with any great expectations. This Diwali release is an average entertainer, a family drama, with an accent on comedy.

It centres around a wealthy household ruled by a woman who is domineering and acid tongued. While her hen-pecked husband steers clear of her, their only son (Vignesh) too is very much in awe of his mother. The father and son join together in various escapades, away from the hawk eyes of the mother. And when Vignesh falls in love with the voluptuous Manthara, father Manivannan advises him to get secretly married to her. Mother Lata would never give her consent, and even if she did, she would definitely make life difficult for her daughter-in-law. Some comedy is generated when the newly wed Vignesh sneaks out of his house each night to be with his wife. And rushes back to his mother again in the morning, to the chagrin of his wife.

Lata and Manthara meet each other on various occasions, one not knowing the real identity of the other. Taking a liking to the older woman, Manthara confides in her, her marital problems. Lata asks her to bring her husband to her. Meanwhile, not knowing Vignesh's marital status, Lata even finalises his marriage to another girl. Manthara bring in Vignesh to introduce to Lata and the truth is out. After the initial shock, all is forgiven. Lata gives an explanation for her early rough behaviour. The family believes her and realises that she was not so bad after all. It's only the audience which leave the theatre, not really convinced!

Vignesh performs his role with credibility. It is sad that he still hasn't got the right banners to back his talent. Lata seems to have a trying time getting adjusted to her 'mother' image. In no recent films of hers has she given a convincing performance of 'motherly love'.

 

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