Before I begin this review, I must add that this movie has quite a lot of tragic, tearjerker moments, so if you’re planning on watching it (both the Tamil and Hindi dubbed versions are freely available on YouTube), then I’d suggest keeping some tissues handy.
“Pithamagan” starts with a single mother giving birth to her baby with the help of an undertaker in a cemetery. During this, a voiceover narrates how society can be very unkind to women and people living on the fringes. The film comments about the dual nature of human cruelty towards their own. Soon after, the woman passes away after childbirth, leaving the child to be raised by the undertaker.
Chithan, as the boy is named, grows up to be an undertaker himself. Apart from the prayers he speaks during the pyre burning, his vocabulary consists of little else than grunts and feral growls. Due to his isolation at the cemetery, or lack of social interaction, he is reclusive in nature and has a bad temper.
When he steps out of his usual surroundings one day in search of food, he’s treated cruelly by a restaurateur; and after beating everybody in the restaurant black and blue for their ill treatment and causing quite a ruckus in the village, Chithan is eventually taken in by a kind hearted cannabis dealer named Gomathi, who stands up to the restaurant owner on his behalf.
“Pithamagan” is an underrated gem that may move your to tears. Photo: Evergreen Communications, 2003.
Chithan also begins to work at a nearby cannabis farm to provide for himself better; however, his feral nature often puts him at risk with the law. After one such altercation with the law, he befriends a conman named Sakthi who takes pity on him in prison. Sakthi becomes Chithan’s sworn protector, as well as the only person who remains faithful and loyal to until the end. Along with Sakthi, Gomathi, and some other outcasts, Chithan tries to settle into his new life and new family. However, the cannabis farm owner has malicious plans in store for all of them that will cast a cloud of gloom over Chithan’s bright sky.
Writer and Director Bala succeeds in telling a tale of a man who has strayed into the unknown. He is only trying his best to make sense of this new environment after years of solitude and suffering. The movie also highlights how it is often the most naive people who can easily fall into traps set by others who are out to take advantage of their weaknesses and their flaws.
At the same time, there are kind people like Sakthi who will always be around to uphold a friend’s honour; this is true, even if it means risking his own life for the sake of Chithan’s safety. He takes the blame upon himself after a fight breaks out due to Chithan’s temper, and later, outside the jail, when the cannabis farm owner threatens to wreak havoc on their peaceful life. We not only get a nuanced look at the duality of human nature but also at the unpredictability of life—all through the eyes of Chithan.
Vikram in “Pithamagan.” Photo: Evergreen Communications, 2003.
Being a fan of Vikram, his acting never disappoints, nor does his out-of-the-box choice of roles. Considering he is only has limited dialogue in this movie, he hits it out of the park. He effortlessly conveys the pain, helplessness, terror and anguish of the character through body language and facial expressions alone. The film’s climax is a perfect testament to his range; it’s no surprise Vikram is one of the finest actors working in the South Indian film industry today. This role not only garnered him the prestigious ‘National Award,’ but transformed him to a household name.
Suriya and Laila too are an absolute treat to watch as Sakthi and Manju respectively—albeit a tad hammy in parts—and Sangeetha lends ample support as Gomathi. Vikram and Suriya’s chemistry especially is a stand-out; it is very easy to grow attached to both of their characters due to the strong bond they share. This is a main factor why the film’s tragic turn feels like somebody has driven a dagger through your heart. Some of the comedic sequences feel a tad dated, but the non-comedic scenes are truly the crowning glory of “Pithamagan.”
Do watch this film for all the aspects I mentioned above and then some. “Pithamagan” is an underrated gem. It will astound you, move you to tears, and even make you contemplate the importance of the true and sincere friends in your life.
