{mosimage}Rarely a movie that generates tremendous hype before its release lives up to it, and Mozhi - the latest from stable of Prakash Raj's Duet Movies is one of those. Mozhi had been in news for various reasons with prime being Jyothika's swan song. It is a bold attempt from Prakash Raj & Radha's part to make such a clean movie without letting the skimpily clad hero & heroine gyrate their pelvics drenched in rain, a welcome departure from routine boy meets girl love story, a movie that defies the conventional conventions by making the lead actor a physically impaired and beautifying it more by making her a self respecting, independent girl, a far cry from usual doormat/raped tailor made to push audiences to shed tears, ready to cry mute girls we had seen on screen.
Behind the scene story goes like this, once Radha Mohan completed his scipt, he approached Jyothika to play the lead. But Jo politely declined stating that she was about to settle down on September. But Radha Mohan and Prakash Raj were persistant that they wanted Jyothika to go through the script atleast once before deciding anything. After she read the script, Jyothika was bowled over it and said that I am doing this movie as I don't want to lose a milestone in my career. Thats how most of her part was shot after her marriage.
{mosimage}Storywise it is too simple but Radha adds layers to this wafer thin plot with his beautiful perspectives of life, confidence and beliefs of people on people and relationships. Normally when the lead roles are physically challenged, directors tend to make a 'heavy' movie, considering the hardships underwent by the protagonists. "Black (Hin)" can be the best recent example. But Radha Mohan had attempted to make a feel good entertainer (FGE) which unlike Karan Johar kind of FGEs, this had strong emotional content.
{mosimage}Especially the scenes, after Prithviraj's entry in Jyothika's life, she starts feeling the rhythm in her day-to-day activities like grandma's pat, vegetable cutting and 'pooja' bell... A deft master stroke. Brimming with beautifully etched characters, including even supporting ones, all normal people with a traumatic past yet moving on with a smile... 'Mozhi' will be a proud experience for everyone - Prakashraj, Jyothika, Prithvi and even those who own its DVD at home.
Subtle humour throughout.... E.g. "Naay engellam kadichuthu?... Mudhalle Adaiyaarle... Appuram Besant nagar-le...", "MGR-kuu innum news theriyadhu.... Enna? Seruppu pinju ponathaa?
{mosimage}The main reason for this movie's success from my perspective is choosing the right artistes and technicians. I can't visualise anybody else other than Prithviraj for the happy-go-lucky musician who falls for a girl who can't hear to his music. Even though there is a wide age gap between Prakash Raj and Prithviraj, their comfort level shows on screen and makes up for everything. Telugu comedian Brahmanandam is wonderful in Tamil comedy and ensures gags everytime he appears on screen. Swarnamalya sparkles on screen as Sheela.
{mosimage}KV Guhan (cinematographer), Kadhir (Art Direction) and Anu Parthasarathy (Costumes) had vibed well in tandem to lend the movie a rich look with colour patterns, down-to-earth costumes and pleasant visuals. Vidyasagar is conspicuous only in the "Kaatrin Mozhi.." song and at few sections of background scores. I still don't know why he relies heavily on western music / orchestration ONLY when he comes to Chennai. Songs shot at Mauritius provides a refreshing change in between.
If you could forgive the peccadiloes like excessive melodrama towards the end (I felt a lump at my throat), and irreasonable whims of Jyothika, and sometimes it was tough to follow the sign language, (escpecially in the vital scenes where we had to expect Swarnamalya's character to verbalise it) 'Mozhi' is nothing short of a classic...
In the movie Jyothika paints, makes & gifts 'Soap' Sculptures.... just like me (except she used Pears while I use Hamam for sculpturing). For me this one reason is more than enough to fall in love with Archana (Jyothika)... Ha! Ha! Ha!
And a master dialogue that made me cry... Prakashraj asks Prithvi why he hadn't exchanged even a hello to Jyothika. Prithvi replies "When she looked at the locket with love, I gifted it to her even without she asking for it. But when she asked me to leave out of her life, how can I dishonour her wish/request?" Something very closer I had said in real life in my past when I was asked whether I have grudges against this person... Sometimes real life is stranger than fiction.
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