Madurai Days: My quick take on Netflix’s “Meenakshi Sundareshwar”
Malgudi Days is one of my all-time favorites for two reasons: the obvious fact that it was based on the great RK Narayan's work, and the resplendent recreation of "Malgudi town" (if I'm not mistaken, it was shot in Agumbe village in my Shimoga district) and the deft camerawork where each frame was truly a work of art.
Meenakshi Sundareshwar reminded me of Malgudi days, especially the first half of the film, which is beautifully shot in Madurai's temple town. The tone and texture with vivid colors are simply breathtaking, and cinematographer Debojit Ray and director Vivek Soni must be commended for their efforts. Unfortunately, the comparison ends with this beautiful plot setting, I only wish the plot of an odd couple coming together in an accidental arranged marriage and then ‘Piya ka bichadna’ and ending in a long-distance romance with “mere piya Gaye Rangoon, waha se Aaya telephoon” type wala love, had some interesting twists and turns. Remember it’s a K-Jo product, what else can one expect.
On the performance front, casting two non-Tamilians in the main lead (Sanya Malhotra and Abhimanyu Dasani) seemed to be a gamble, but both of them have pulled it off with elan. Especially Sanya Malhotra is damn impressive, she is indeed “Thallaiva” of the movie. The tongue n cheek dialogs are funny and so are the different characters which propel the plot further. Not sure if the movie was shot on location or it was on a set, whatever it is the Madurai house shown with its intricate details is simply enchanting. The play of light n shade in this house is beautifully captured.
I have come across many reviews which are critical to caustic about this movie, they have nitpicked things like, the accent, the polished Hindi diction of characters, the Tamil cuisine showed in some scenes, even the hair bun and flowers used by Sanya. I, being a non-Tamil is oblivious of these details, hence I thoroughly enjoyed the rom-com for its simple plot, beautiful cinematography, melodious score and powerful performance of Sanya Malhotra.
Watch it if you like plain vanilla pop-corn comedy, where Thallaiva is beautifully used as a metaphor for a 'binder' that brings masses together regardless of gender, caste, or social status.
On a lighter note, after one MS (CSK) brought back smiles to people's faces, it is now the turn of this MS (Meenakshi Sundareshwar)
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