Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai Movie Review: Lijomol and Rohini steer a drama that is honestly real, empathetic but never preachy

3.5/5

Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai story:

Sam (Lijomol Jose) lives with her mother Lakshmi (Rohini) who is doting and affectionate. But one day, Sam decides to introduce Lakshmi to her lover. As Lakshmi joyfully prepares to welcome her future son-in-law, she gets shocked to know that Sam has a girlfriend Nandini (Anusha) and cannot come in terms with her daughter’s choices.

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Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai review

It is just right after a crucial point as the film move towards post-climatic portion when Sam’s father Devaraj (Vineeth Srinivasan) utters to his daughter, “Sam, no matter what appa loves you.” It comes from a man who is unable to comprehend his daughter’s life choices that are rightfully hers, it comes from a man who is unable to let go of societal expectations over his daughter’s wishes, and more so, it comes from a man who is not lying about the fact that he indeed loves his daughter no matter what. But all that love and why is he unable to extend support to his daughter and stand by her side? Neither is the father lying when he reassures his daughter about his affection, nor does he act as a man who would possibly support their loved one, he really does. Would you question the man who takes time to reassure his affection after an incident that he did not expect coming, or hold up the man responsible for his big words and small actions? It is at this juncture Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai gets as real as possible.

There is so much to unpack in Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai, a coming-out story that touches upon classism, intersectional feminism, gender-conforming norms, body right issues to name a few. These concepts are neither treated as high-end ones, nor as a module of lecture in the film. For example, Lakshmi, who seems to be that loving mother, and strong, independent woman who leads a life as a divorcee, knows the right time to ask her maid to leave the dinner table when family issues are being spoken. She knows her ‘tom-boy’ daughter has to wear a kurta when her lover is invited home. She, who rightfully exercised her body rights and aborted her second pregnancy fearing physical pain, contradicts herself while shaming Devaraj’s benevolent second wife for her empty womb.

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Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai makes strong points in the simplest manner. I enjoyed when (Deepa Shankar) in a naturally nonchalant manner says to a dejected Sam, about two women in her neighbourhood who are close and comfortable with each other. The line maybe simple, but it makes a point that queerness or homosexuality need not be an elite concept, which only makes it more universal and normal. The film might have a limited set of characters, but makes the most use to narrate a powerful tale on intersectional feminism. The women of Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai steer the story forward, and it makes a bold attempt to talk about some poignant and vulnerable human emotions. Take for instance, when Lakshmi, who could be a beacon of hope for many women, is also a woman who falls for the trap set by society riddled with patriarchy and stereotypes. If the writing has come to life, the cast of Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai has a huge role to play. Lijomol, Rohini, Deepa Shankar, Anusha, Kalesh, and Vineeth, bring naturality to the table. Carefully abled by the background score and music by Kannan Narayanan, that comes at the time when two women let their hair loose and dance to the wind, the music is elevated and so is the film and its true meaning, that one ought to be free as much as they want in expressing themselves.

The film might have some portions in the beginning that might tend to get a bit stretchy until the revelation happens, and an extended portion of sexual assault which could have been avoided. It might be called creative choices, but gets overpowered by other simplistic yet layered narrative style that makes Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai a progressive step in Tamil cinema.

Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai verdict

Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai is a much-needed tale that carefully avoids being preachy. For a film that is majorly conversation ridden, it’s the execution that perfects it as a human drama with nuanced characters. As the cast come together as one unit, Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai is a neatly done drama that can be seen as the first embrace a progressive society can make.