Madraspattinam -- Tamizh movie

MIL was planning to visit - she had informed us on 1st. It has been a while since she has stayed with us. She has stayed over for a day or two, ~ thrice in a year, but never for two whole weeks since 2 years at least. I was a lil concerned because I have not become a great cook in these years :D But, I needn't have worried, the arien helped out quite a bit and 3 days went past very quickly. Before we knew it, the weekend had arrived. I have always wanted to watch Madrasapattinam. The Arien downloaded it on Friday. We asked my MIL if she had watched the movie. When she said no, we all sat down to that movie after breakfast. I know movies after breakfast was absolutely shocking!! So, we spent a nice, lazy morning having shundal, sweet aval for breakfast as we watched Arya do a la Lagaan.

The story is straightforward - it starts out in 1945 in chennai alias Madrasapattinam before India got its independence. The daughter of the then governor, Amy Wilkinson (Amy Jackson), arrives in Madrasapattinam and is drawn to a Dhobi, Parithi, (Arya) who is also a good wrestler. Amy's wedding is arranged with an official whom she does not like. There are plans to convert the Dhobi Ghaat into a golf link. However, with India getting its Independence and the British asked to leave, things take a turn for the worse for the two young lovers. What happens next? Do the young lovers unite? Does Parithi die? Is Amy killed? You must watch the movie to know 'bout that.

Image Courtesy: http://www.indiaful.com/

Arya looks fantastic and has done a commendable job as the proud Indian who refuses to bow down to the Britishers. Amy Jackson is a sight to behold. Very young but has done a great job. I have heard that she is doing the hindi version of Vinnaithandi Varuvaya with Prateik. There are a number of other characters and they lend good support for the main cast. Some of the scenes are shot really well. There is a nice balance between the present scenes and the flashback scenes. This pic is of an ethnic Tamizh ponnu Amy. Doesn't she look very pretty? My MIL said that she resembles Amala.

Image Courtesy: http://news.sky.com/

Catch the movie if you have not seen it yet. It ends with a montage of how chennai was in the 1940s and earlier and how it looks today. That was a nice touch.