NANDHAN MOVIE REVIEW
Cast: M. Sasikumar, Suruthi Periyasamy, Balaji Sakthivel, Samuthirakani
Director: Era Saravanan
Era Saravanan’s Nandhan delves into the grim realities of caste oppression and political exploitation. The story follows Ambethkumar, affectionately known as Koozhpaanai (M. Sasikumar), a naive laborer who becomes the panchayat president after the village council seat is reserved for Scheduled Castes. However, he’s merely a pawn in the hands of the manipulative ex-president Koppulingam (Balaji Sakthivel), who seeks to maintain his grip on power through Ambethkumar.
While the film aims to spotlight enduring social injustices, it struggles with execution. The narrative is heavy, with overt messages that overshadow the storytelling. This lack of subtlety makes the plot feel predictable and the characters one-dimensional.
Sasikumar delivers a good performance as Ambethkumar, capturing his character’s innocence and gradual awakening to the exploitation around him. Suruthi Periyasamy portrays Selvi, bringing warmth to her role. Balaji Sakthivel embodies the scheming antagonist, Koppulingam.
There are biting moments, such as Ambethkumar’s preparations for the Independence Day ceremony, that highlight his genuine desire for respect and change. Unfortunately, these instances are overshadowed by pacing issues and abrupt scene transitions that disrupt the film’s flow.
Technical aspects like inconsistent makeup and character portrayals can be distracting, unintentionally reinforcing stereotypes linked to caste and appearance. Ghibran’s music adds emotional depth.
Nandhan deserves credit for addressing significant social issues, yet its messaging could have benefited from a more refined approach.