'Kuttram Kadithal' Review: Director Bramma's poignant film is touching, not preachy

Film: Kuttram Kadithal
Director: Bramma G
Cast: Sai Rajkumar, Radhika Prasidhha, Master Ajay
Rating: ***​ 1/2
 

What it's about: This movie won the National Award for Best Film in Tamil at the 62nd National Awards. Directed by debutant director Bramma G, Kuttram Kadithal features mostly newcomers. We are introduced to a newly married couple who are travelling in a lorry to Chennai. The driver asks if they are facing a problem and this is when Merlin (Radhika Prasidhha) says she’s a teacher and the movie unfolds. Merlin, a Christian, falls in love with Manigandan (Sai Rajkumar), a Hindu, and marries him. Her highly religious mother doesn’t approve of this marriage and refuses to talk to her. But Merlin’s life as a teacher seems to be going well when one day she is asked to be a substitute teacher for a colleague’s class. One of the students in this class, Chezhiyan (Master Ajay) rankles her and she slaps him. He falls down unconscious and the school rushes him to the hospital. What happens to Chezhiyan? How does he affect the lives of Merlin and Manigandan? How does this incident affect society?

What’s hot: Director Bramma has made a movie that is very simple, poignant and told in a very moving manner. He has focused on the school system and how something as simple as slapping a child has consequences – emotional, physical, intellectual and societal. Mervin is wrought with guilt and traumatised by the incident as much as the child’s mother (Sathya). There’s also a religious element here because she feels by embracing elements of Hinduism, she has offended her God. Meanwhile, Manigandan is trying to retain his sanity and protect his wife while those around him are displaying emotions ranging from anger to hatred. Each of the characters has been etched really well and Bramma has tried not to preach to the audience on any aspect. 

What’s not: Some of the aspects shown in the movie seem to be quite clichéd. For instance, how a journalist is only looking at getting a good story rather than the truth. When Mervin returns after all the drama, it’s quite obvious that the student was going to be fine. So after all the twists, the director ends the film with the obvious.

What to do: Bramma has told a story that will definitely touch you. This is a movie that should be watched for its wonderful performances of all the actors. You’ll remember all the characters long after you leave the theatre. Especially Chezhian.