A resounding ode to Jayalalithaa and MGR's poignant love story

The film chronicles the life of actor-turned-politician Jayalalithaa (Kangana Ranaut), her relationship with the legendary MG Ramachandran (Arvind Swami) and her tumultuous rise to power as the former chief minister of Tamil Nadu.

- Renuka Vyavahare

CINEMA OF THE WEEK

Thalaivii (Biopic, Drama) …1/2

Cast: Kangana Ranaut, Arvind Swami, Raj Arjun, Bhagyashree, Nassar Direction: Vijay Duration: 2 hours 33 minutes

Language: Hindi (U)

An iconic figure in Indian politics, Jayalalithaa’s political journey is known to most. Director Vijay attempts to unravel her icy-cold persona and look at her as a woman passionately driven by love. Make no mistake, a woman’s fight for self-respect and battle against patriarchy are integral to the story. However, what lies at the heart of the tale is her unconditional love for MGR, despite the societal contempt of her. She faced the wrath of his loyal followers, who deemed their extramarital relationship as illicit and a disgrace to his noble reputation. As days turned into decades, they became each other’s strengths and weaknesses. Bound by the heart, the purity of their love stayed intact even as murky politics, power struggle, and people got hellbent on parting the two. The scenes where they indulge in phone conversations without uttering a single word but letting their silence do the talking are heartbreaking. The film essentially works for its poignant love story.