The "Soora Bothai"( A Devilish High) of "Jigarthanda"(Tamil Film)

Once was not enough, Twice was not enough and after a third helping in three weeks, there are no signs of satiety. I look forward to several more helpings of “Jigarthanda”( Translated as Cold Hearted, Jigarthanda is also a delectable Falooda like dessert  served in Madurai).

Karthik Subbaraj, serves this intoxicating tale, narrates with Machiavellian intent, teases and tantalizes the audience with an inclusive mock fest. Probably a first, there is a mathematical format to this mock fest, the title “Jigarthanda” rolls down as it is being pronounced as a “Kuppai Padam”( A film that could pass of trash), a verdict given by one of the judges on a short films made by the protagonist. And as the director cruises along with verve, zest and zeal, the film is punctuated with unending QEDS.

Karthik is blessed with several weapons in the arsenal who shine so brightly that Karthik himself get lost in the radiance of his cohorts. One is not really sure who is the first amongst equals as Santosh Narayanan(Music), Gavemic U Ary, the Cinematographer, Siddarth and Simha, all of them vie for equal honours.

While Gavemic is silent, Siddarth is understated and probably has been underrated for this performance, Simha is a joy to behold, and Santosh Narayan, spews an indescribable score that sends you into a space far removed from this earth.

I wish I had the competence and the skill sets to appreciate the cinematography and music in greater detail. Between Gavemic and Santosh, they set the mood for a film while capturing the flavors of Madurai,  infuse new flavours into the temple town which were hitherto not experienced.

For that one shot of Meenakshi temple, in a suspended haze, in a visibly invisible state, Gavemic, as a lay man I really enjoyed it.

Simha, to me, has of course been the real reason for me to visit the movie again and again. Thanks to the writing, Simha, has an opportunity to exhibit a multitude of emotions, he is not grey, he is a mirage of black with a lurking and languishing human inside. Simha explodes on to the screen. His haunting eyes, phenomenally menacing body language, the swagger, the exuberance, the camaraderie, the pursuit of excellence,  and there is that glint of unusual humanness just makes him a powerful character that has been unleashed on us for a long long time. You could have the one-dimensional villains like Gabbar Singh, Mogambo, Joker or Jack Nicholson in Departed, Simha as Sethu will always remain special.

I would have loved to see, Rajinikanth play this character about thirty years back.

The goose bumps reserved for Rajinikanth seemed to have been just been shared with Simha.

We probably have just seen the birth of the natural successor to the Super Star. Only one hopes that Simha does not get type cast.