Thangalaan
We know we’re in for a unique experience whenever we watch a Pa Ranjith flick. The historical drama Thangalaan, which stars Vikram, Pravathy Thiruvothu, Pasupathy, and Malavika Mohanan, takes place in the late 1800s, when the Kolar Gold Fields were under British administration.
British “dorai” Clement is in search of a crew of miners after hearing rumours of the historic gold deposits in Tipu Sultan (Kolar, Karnataka). He is informed that the indigenous inhabitants of Veppur village (North Arcot) have a long history of mining and that he must persuade them to continue this occupation. He goes so far as to promise to lift the people out of poverty by sharing the spoils with them.
The story line
The people of Veppur, including Thangalaan (Vikram) and his wife Parvathy, toil away at their land, but the local mirazdar is the one who gets the spoils. After years of oppression and servitude, Thangalaan accepts Clement’s offer in the hopes of regaining their dignity and starting over. Aarthi, played by Malavika Mohanan, is a powerful supernatural being that resides in the hills and woods and is believed by the tribal people to be responsible for guarding the wealth. Even though Thangalaan felt Aarthi’s ferocious strength on a previous journey to mine gold, he is hopeful that this time things will be different. Thangalaan takes the lead as the gang follows Clement to Kolar in search of wealth. Does Thangalaan discover any gold now? Is it possible that the Aarthi myth is true? Can the Britisher Clement improve the lives of the indigenous people?
The ruling
The historical drama Thangalaan, directed by Pa Ranjith, blends elements of fantasy and magical realism with those of the past. This play, which revolves around the Kolar gold fields and the workers who toiled there, has a raw and rustic backdrop and people that contribute to its charm. From the clothing to the makeup, Thangalaan is a visual feast. The harsh backdrop of the dry, arid land and the poverty-stricken people make a significant impression. Ranjith and his colleagues deserve accolades for making the tribal people’s pain and despair palpable. An fault with the film’s pacing is how slowly it sets up the stage in the first half. I was disappointed because the second half dragged and wasn’t as riveting as I had hoped. Additionally, the characters’ hallucinations can be quite unsettling. The dialogues are difficult to follow because the characters speak a different form of Tamil. Thangalaan may have been more interesting despite its innovative concept and excellent acting.
Once again, Vikram proves his mettle and brilliance in the role of Thangalaan. You can feel every feeling that Vikram experiences, whether it’s in the action scenes or the sad ones. Both Parvathy and Pasupathy are top-notch performers who have nailed the era Tamil dialogues. In addition, Malavika Mohanan does a commendable job.
The score and background music composed by GV Prakash for the film are spot on, and it’s clear that he’s capable of fluidly shifting between different styles. The filmmaking of A Kishor was The picture benefits from Kumar’s presence, but it could have benefited from more precise editing.
Social justice, caste injustice, prejudice, and social reform are recurring themes in director Pa Ranjith’s films, and he has always been an advocate for under-represented groups. Thangalaan follows his regular pattern of featuring a poor protagonist. Thangalaan isn’t flawless, but the outstanding performances—particularly Vikram’s—make it a memorable film.