A simple story with an earthy charm has always been a risky proposition for the producers and directors alike especially in recent times where Kollywood’s box office success has been attributed with petty metrics like the presence of star celebrities who command a grand opening or with an item number sung by a star kid and features a yesteryear pornstar or with other mass elements that have become inevitable to sell whatever content that gets churned out in the name of entertainment! ‘Saivam’ directed by A.L.Vijay is an offbeat family drama that carries the inherent risk of being chased out of the box office without a trace as it doesn't have any of the inevitables as mentioned above. The director has to be lauded for choosing such an offbeat subject (especially given his past record of films) by firmly putting his foot forward to convey a simple story without making any commercial compromises!
Saivam narrates the story of a little girl Tamizhselvi (Sarah) who shares a special bond with a rooster that is destined to be butchered and offered to the ancestral deity of her family. She hides the rooster from her family members and what ensues from then on was unwound as an engaging family drama. The backbone of the movie was the ensemble of characters who were cast as the family members. Keeping up with the ‘chettinad’ traditions which the director could easily relate to, he has managed to pull off an authentic ethos that reflects the traits flawlessly!
The key was that the director established the familial knots flawlessly - the equations between different members of the family, be it the hopelessness of the childless couple or the effervescent romance between the couple or the spoilt brat’s impish escapades, the brothers’ bitter battle to woo their uncle’s daughter - all had some witty and emotional quotients bound together in order to make the audience buy into the narrative. Nassar’s character as that of the family head was obviously a well chalked out plan as it needed an experienced campaigner to handle it without much qualms and Nassar delivered it without a blemish. Child artist Sarah did not have much to perform when compared to her role in Deivathirumagal but she managed to pull off whatever was necessary.
The technicalities were top notch, especially cinematography by Nirav Shah was pleasing to the eyes. Music by G.V.P was brilliant and the much expected ‘Azhage’ song was picturized beautifully such that it added a flavour to the dramatic narration.
On the downside the story had so many over-the-top melodrama which was unnecessary and a core non-vegetarian family transforming into vegans due to a little girl’s love for a rooster was a far fetched imagination but nevertheless has been played out well on screen largely due to the underlying familial sentiments that drew an engaging drama.
Saivam is no doubt an important movie in Kollywood in recent times and encouraging such novel and ethnic attempts would go a long way in beefing up Kollywood’s neo noir arsenal!
Verdict: Good
Rating: 3 / 5
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