SC-S28/W5-Movie Highlights| old is gold -Moondram Pirai(Tamil)

I would like to take part in this week's SC-S28-W54 contest https://steemit.com/steem4nigeria/@ruthjoe/sc-s28-wk5-movie-highlights-old-is-gold organised by @ruthjoe

Watch a classic movie made before the year 2000

Forty years have passed today since the release of the film 'Moondram Pirai'. This magnificent classic film, created by the collaboration of Balu Mahendra, Kamal Haasan, Sridevi, and Ilaiyaraaja, has won several awards, including a National Award.
It's unclear to what extent the contemporary younger generation has followed Kamal Haasan's filmography. Many might have seen films like 'Dasavathaaram' and 'Vishwaroopam', which are at the later end of his career. Some might have gone further and watched classic films like 'Hey Ram'.

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However, to truly understand the complete dimension of Kamal, the artist, they would have to watch all the finest films in his cinematic journey. Even then, it's uncertain if they could fully grasp it all. Such is its vastness.

Film	Moondram Pirai(Tamil)
Director	Balu Mahendra
Cast	Kamal Haasan, Sridevi
Producers	G. Thyagarajan, G. Saravanan
Overall Rating	9.9/10
Music director	Ilaiyaraaj
Awards	Tamil Nadu State Film Awards – 1982, South Indian Filmfare Awards, National Film Awards

What felt different about the storytelling of the movie compared to newer films?

A young woman is involved in an accident. Her memories are temporarily erased, with only those up to the age of six remaining. Therefore, although physically grown, she is mentally still a child. A young man rescues this girl from a brothel. He takes her in and cares for her, becoming like a mother and father figure to her.

However, one day, through his efforts, her old memories return. Unfortunately, he is unable to be by her side at that moment. Desperate to see her one last time, he rushes to the train station, only to fall and get injured. But she is unable to recognize him.
Just like a bird with a broken wing sought refuge with a man. Driven by compassion and pity, he cared for the bird with great affection. A bond of love, indescribable in words and incomprehensible to others, slowly grew between them.

But one day, after its wing had healed, the time came for the bird to leave. The sorrow of separation was one thing, but the feeling that the bird no longer recognized him tormented him even more.

Did the film age well, or did some parts feel outdated?

If you were to list the greatest films released in the 1980s, 'Moondram Pirai' would undoubtedly be among them. It is such a brilliant film. For reasons such as the superb performances of Kamal Haasan and Sridevi, Ilaiyaraaja's extraordinary music, and Balu Mahendra's realistic story, screenplay, dialogues, cinematography, and direction, this film is a masterpiece that should definitely be watched and appreciated by the younger generation.

What do you think made this movie a “classic”?

Although we have watched hundreds of films, it is only through a few that we understand another side of life. Just as love is a source of immense joy, it is also, conversely, a source of profound suffering. One doesn't even need the conscious realization that 'this is love.' Simply being together and observing is enough. But even that opportunity is denied by time, which separates them. No matter what changes time brings, we do not know the art of living without love.

The relationship between the man and woman depicted by Balu Mahendra in 'Moondram Pirai' does not fall within the conventional definition of love. It is a relationship that naturally blossoms and continues through affection. It would be wrong to confine it within the usual framework of love. The extraordinary bond of affection between Viji and Seenu ultimately leads to separation as the final verdict. This is because, while Seenu's feelings for Viji were indeed love, Viji's feelings for Seenu were the overwhelming affection that wells up in the heart of an immature young girl.

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There were also critics who wrote reviews subjecting the relationship between Kamal and Sridevi depicted in this film to a problematic psychoanalysis. Similarly, there were those who severely criticized it by linking it to the director's personal life. Criticism is inevitable; it is also a part of any creative work.

However, some poetic moments and relationships are like flowers that bloom spontaneously. It's uncertain whether anyone other than those involved can fully understand them. One can try to understand them with sensitivity. But dissecting those flowers petal by petal and analyzing them is not a very tasteful thing to do.
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How did the characters or themes relate to today’s world?

Whether the affection Kamal shows towards Sridevi is merely the love one shows for a child, or a feeling that transcends even that, is subtly captured in a few scenes. It's like walking on a tightrope. Director Balu Mahendra handled this matter with great finesse. In a close-up shot where Sridevi is seen sucking her finger and sleeping, we can perceive her as a child. While Sridevi was captivating audiences in this way, Kamal was constantly trying to outdo her. The scene where he searches for Sridevi all over the village is enough to illustrate this. When he enters the house dejectedly after searching everywhere, Sridevi is sitting there, wrapped in a blanket, staring wide-eyed like a little girl lost at a festival. The expressions on Kamal's face upon seeing this are absolutely brilliant. Sridevi then runs and hugs Kamal, calling out, "Seenu..." After this incident, Kamal shows even more affection towards Sridevi.

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Kamalhasan is an expert at enhancing the appeal of a scene with subtle movements and facial expressions. He would spontaneously contribute his efforts, even without the director's instructions. In this film too, he effortlessly performs actions like jumping from above like a monkey, doing somersaults, and leaping from one chair to another. This is only possible if one has prepared their body for such feats. In the climax scene, his actions of rapidly descending the mountain slopes, getting hit by a car, and falling into the mud are all incredibly natural.

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