Kasthuriman

Cast: Prasanna , Meera Jasmine,Sarath Babu, Geetha Ravishankar
Language: Tamil
Director: Lohithadas
Producer: Lohithadas
Camera: Kitcha, Vaithi
Story: Lohithadas
Screenplay: Lohithadas
Dialogue: Lohithadas
Music: Illayaraja
Year: 2005

Lohithdas is Malayalam cinema’s best known scriptwriters and his debut film as director in Tamil Kasturimaan is a gutsy and realistic venture within the framework of commercial cinema. At a time when we are bombarded with shallow and fraudulent film stories, here is something that is real and has a moral framework.

Lohi’s film making harks back to the era of socially committed film makers like Bharathiraaja (not in his new avatar) and K. Balachandar movies of late 70’s and early 80’s when a movie moves beyond the message.

Right away you are drawn into the life of Uma (Meera Jasmine) who is a happy-go-lucky college student who loves to play pranks on her friends. She is supposed to be from a rich family and Arunachalam (Prasanna) her senior and a brilliant student is irritated with her behavior.

But slowly, he comes to know that Uma is a fiercely independent girl from a poor family who does odd jobs to look after her family and earns money for her studies. Uma becomes Prasanna’s strength when she motivates and financially helps him to enter the Civil Service Exams to become the District Collector. But fate plays dirty as Arunachalam is unable to save Uma from her miseries.

The film triumphs basically due to Lohi’s perfect casting. Be it Meera, Prasanna, VMC Haneefa, Sarathbabu, the loud mother of the villain brilliantly played by Leela, Shammi as the unscrupulous police man and Vinodhini as Meera’s sister- all are outstanding in their performance. Prasanna is first class in his restraint portrayal of Arunachalam who is torn between his duties as a son and his commitment as a lover.

It is an out and out Meera Jasmine film and she gives a stellar performance. She is in top form whether it is the fun loving girl doing comedy in the first half, or showing her anguish in the second half, she is sure to steal your heart. Ilayaraja’s music has a hangover of his Kathalikku Mariyadhai tunes. Kitchas and Vaithi’s camera is eye catching. On the downside, the film drags a bit towards the end and has a predictable climax.

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