Maataraani Mounamidhi Movie Review

Story: Mozhi broke new ground in Tamil cinema winning both critical and popular acclaim in equal measure. Which is why it is surprising to see it being dubbed into Telugu a good five years on as Maatarani Mounamidi, however, it has to be said that it still makes for a good watch. A breezy love story on the outset, the film offers a wonderfully un-melodramatic take on relationships between normal everyday people.

Movie Review: There are no larger than life characters, no punch dialogues, no forced comedy tracks or even a jaw dropping climax fight. It is a no-frills-attached entertainer that keeps things simple. It has a straight forward story line, great acting, melodious music and pleasing visuals.

Karthik (Prithviraj) and Viji (Prakash Raj) are best of friends. They work as keyboard players under a renowned music director and are brilliant with their work. They share a great rapport and believe in living every moment to the fullest. They live in an apartment complex full of familiar but likeable characters. Their neighbor and flat secretary, Ananthakrishnan (Brahmanandam) however is not too pleased with them and wants these bachelors out of the apartment inhabited by conservative families and asks them to leave. Preethi is one young girl who is smitten by Karthik.

Then one day Karthik sees a young woman thrashing a man on the road. On making more enquiries he discovers that she is Archana (Jyothika) who is hearing and speech impaired from her childhood. Impressed by her spirit, Karthik is besotted with her and tries to woo her with the help of his best friend Vijji. He befriends her best friend, Sheela and learns sign language in order to be able to communicate with her.

However, Archana only treats him as a good friend and starts avoiding him when she learns about his true feelings. She has some childhood issues herself, being abandoned by her father for her handicaps. Can true love over come physical handicaps? The question is dealt with is a simple yet endearing manner.

The characters are familiar and likeable and the acting is top notch. Jyothika is simple brilliant playing a deaf and mute girl with panache. Without ever uttering a dialogue she exudes a wide range of emotions without ever going overboard. Prakash Raj’s comic timing is impeccable and the camaraderie he shares with Prithvi Raj is delectable. Together they have the audience in splits. The music is pleasant and blends perfectly with the tone of the film. All in all it’s the kind of film that you will not forget in a hurry.
Tip-off: It’s a light hearted yet intense portrayal of love between a musician and a deaf and mute girl without the usual frills, so if you are looking for the typical masala you might not like it.