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'Iyarkai'
Cast: Shaam, Arun Kumar, Radhika, Seema Biswas
Director: S P Jhananathan
Music Director: Vidyasagar
 'Iyarkai', initially scheduled to be a Deepavali release, has been held back for November first week, perhaps, not willing to take on the films of big stars like Vikram and Surya in 'Pithamagan' or Arjun in 'Ottran'. However, as the title suggests, 'Iyarkai' has a freshness about it, that has its own appeal.
A love story, told in a refreshing way, without too much of melodrama, fanfare and artificiality, 'Iyarkai' could make a big difference to the career of Shaam, who hasn't had hits of late.
Radhika, a new face, from Kannada films, is the heroine of the film who prefers to wait for the sailor (Arun Kumar) lost in the sea but finds herself slowly drawn towards Shaam, who sets out to help find Arun Kumar (who has turned in a good performance).
Shot in Andamans, the film has a slow but effective pace, allowing the viewer to savour the richness of the locales and the gripping dilemma faced by Radhika as she has to decide on accepting the hand of Shaam or wait for the sailor who could well be dead.
The debutant director, S P Jhananathan, has handled the build-up to the climax and the climax scenes too effectively. The end is rather stunning and unexpected for a Tamil movie, moving away from the traditional cliched lines or melodramatic parting of ways. The film ends without any dialogue but makes subtle use of visuals which leave a lingering impact on the viewers.
The last time something intelligent like this was done in the Kamal Hassan-Jayapradha starrer, Sagara Sangamam'. Movies like these must do well at the box-office, at least, to encourage the more intelligent film-makers to make a break from the 'Dhool'-'Samy' song-dance-fights routine that seems to thrust the so-called winning formula on young, creative minds in the film industry. Producer V R Kumar deserves a pat on the back for standing by this team which includes camera work by Ekambaram, Sabu Cyril- Selvam, the art directors and editing by V T Vijayan. Arun Kumar and Seema Biswas too make an impression in their brief roles. The songs are few in number, so as not to take one's attention away from the narrative. Music Director Vidyasagar has provided a helping hand with some good re-recording, allowing the influx of natural sound to a large extent.
The fate of 'Iyarkai' will soon be in the hands of the viewers, who like the heroine will have to decide on supporting good cinema and brash trash.
R Rangaraj
Published on 26th Oct, 2003
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