Minmini OTT release: Here are 5 reasons why Halitha Shameem’s film should be on your weekend watchlist

Director Halitha Shameem is one filmmaker in Tamil cinema who has unique stories to tell. After the successes of films like Sillu Karupatti and Aelay, the filmmaker made a unique step to work with child artistes for her film Minmini. In fact, she had waited for years for the cast to grow up and reprise their roles as adult versions. With Minmini now streaming on ZEE5 and OTTplay Premium, here are five reasons why you should watch it over the weekend.

Minmini on OTT: 5 reasons why you should stream Halitha Shameem’s film

Halitha Shameem’s cathartic storytelling

With Poovarasam Peepee, Sillu Karuppatti, and Aelay in her filmography, Halitha Shameem is known to portray intricate emotions with much empathy and care onscreen. And Minmini is no different. With the film, the director brings her signature warmth and nuance. Minmini has a beautiful blend of nostalgia, childishness, and innocence with depth, making her one of Tamil cinema’s unique films that brims with freshness. The story follows two childhood friends as they grow through the years, emotionally and physically.

Gorgeous visuals and landscapes

Shot by cinematographer Manoj Paramhamsa, the film’s varied visual landscape is not just there for the beautification but also adds an in-depth characterisation to the film. The film, which takes place both at a hilly residential school and the mountainous terrains of Khardung La and the Himalayas, matches the emotional rhythm of the story.

A unique attempt with real-time filmmaking

As the makers call it a labour of love, and not just a film, Minmini was shot for over 10 years. The coming-of-age story was first shot when the three main characters were child artistes. Halitha Shameem made the tedious decision to capture the authentic transformation of its characters in real time. Actors C. Gaurav Kaalai, Praveen Kishore, and Esther Anil were shot in 2015 when they were children, who then grew up and filmed for the rest of Minmini seven years later. This is effectively seen through the emotional evolution onscreen, making it a cinematic experience.

Watch more Tamil films in which child actors played the protagonist, like Deiva Thirumagal, My Dear Bhootham, and Thanga Meenkal on OTTplay Premium

A tender story on survivor’s guilt

Stories of survivor’s guilt are very rare in Tamil cinema. Minmini takes up this nuanced topic to explore the lives of teenagers and tell a story with some authenticity. The film also explores the themes of friendship, innocence, separation, and reunion that many will find deeply relatable and moving. The beauty of Minmini is that it never spells out its emotions, but rather makes the audience get drenched in it, and hence gives a first-hand experience.

Khatija Rahman’s music

Khatija Rahman makes her debut as a composer with Minmini with her soulful, subtle, and emotionally charged work. The film's album consists of four songs, and Halitha Shameem has written the lyrics. With voices lent by Shathisree Gopalan, Sireesha Bhagavatula, and Khatija herself, the music of Minmini echoes the film’s themes like friendship, loss and survival with its own calm, but youthful energy.