Viruthaandham - Review | Madras Country | Tamil Short Cinema| Mobin

Cinema lovers wouldn't have missed "Doodlebug", a short film by ace director Christopher Nolan and in fact, it was his first movie effort too. It is approximately 3 minutes long and is about a man who tries to kill his miniature self and the movie ends with a blown-up version of himself hovering over him. 

"Viruthaandham" is one such intelligent fresh piece of work directed by upcoming yet promising director Mobin and similar to Doodlebug, there is an element of freshness about characters of a story trying to determine their own storyline.

Let us review this Tamil Short Cinema below.

What happens?

Bramma (Prasanna Janakiram)  tries hard to pen a story about a painter who draws his stories and he faces some hindrance on the flow. 

The painter Shiva (Hemnath Govindraj), who lives in the day, tries to make the story his own, as a romantic love story between Vishnu (Madhavan T) and Lakshmi (Veronica Shaw).

However, Vishnu wants his story to be a musical journey based one and not a romantic love story and the tension builds up between the four characters leading to an inevitable climax.

What we liked?

Short films in Tamil tend to be romantic love stories for the most part or tries hard to be a friendship flick. Very rarely we come across a piece of art as short films in Tamil and Viruthaandham is a such a well-etched art. Right from the characters' names to the making, Viruthaandham tries hard to be away from Tamil typical short films and Mobin succeeds in doing it.

Realistic portrayals have helped Viruthaandham to a great extent and in particular, Madhavan T's portrayal as Vishnu deserves a special mention for the casual way he has acted and his unique dialogue delivery.

The best part of Viruthaandham technically would be its art direction by Jennipher Kerenhappuch. Impeccable design and work and takes us to different places with different emotions when the story actually happens in the same house.

Mobin's screenplay and idea deserve an applause and in addition, his rusty voice-over adds spice to the story and elevates the emotions.

Bold portrayal as Lakshmi by Veronica Shaw and in recent times, we haven't witnessed any female actor of a short film donning such a role and wearing such costumes and carries them with elan.

Hemnath Govindaraj's portrayal as Shiva also deserves a mention and his man-bun is apt for Shiva, the destroyer. Also, the way he admires his own painting as he makes small strokes for correction is unmissable. 

Danush Bhaskar's cinematography and Jose Franklin's Music takes us to a trance, which the director actually wants for his viewers. 

Shyraam Suresh's VFX adds up to the quality of the making and VFX is equivalent to most Tamil feature film's VFX. Also, when the camera pans in Shiva's room the black and white tone changes to color tone beautifully and such small nuances make this short cinema a worth watch for cinema lovers.

What we didn't like?

Even when Prasanna as Bramma has played his part to the Tee, we can't help but wonder what if a guy of the actual age of the character has played its part.

When we understand the darker color tone was purposefully used, we feel there are few shots which require more light as the too dark and washed-out looks hinder viewers to witness the lead character's performance. A sample shot below.

Our verdict

Viruthaandham is a beautiful work of art and the maker and the team know well that this short cinema is made for a niche of viewers. And that niche wouldn't be disappointed and in fact, be awed in the making and story. Kudos to Mobin and we welcome him with open arms as Tamil cinema and in fact, Indian cinema needs such intelligent directors when all the craze is behind hero-worship and self-praises.