36 VAYADHINILE MOVIE REVIEW

Although age is said to be notional, women somehow prefer it to be shrouded under a veil of secrecy and do not like to be prodded upon this sensitive subject. However, Jyothika, known for her talents in acting, returns after eight years to what she does best, in a film that appears to proclaim her age in the title itself.  

 

Women wear different masks in the course of the day that range from daughter, wife, mother, daughter-in-law, sister, friend and many more. Beneath all those carefully decorated masquerades, is there a REAL being waiting to take a soft peek? Would there be a dream for this being in the first place?  If yes, is there an expiry date for it and who decides it?

 

Well, in a way, 36 Vayadhinile talks about such sensitive issues in this comeback vehicle for Jyothika directed by Rosshan Andrews.

 

Vasanthi, (Jyothika), a government employee in the revenue department appears to be quite contented with her life with husband Thamizhchelvan (Rahman) working for a radio station, her parents-in-law and 13 year old daughter Mithila in a middle class set up.  What changes this seemingly peaceful and flat set up that drives the protagonist on a mission of self discovery is 36 Vayadhinile all about.

 

Undoubtedly, 36 Vayadhinile is Jyothika’s show all the way. She looks fresh, glowing and owns the screen. The gamut of emotions - the pain, the happiness, the innocence, the lethargy- the lady traverses them all quite effortlessly. The block where she describes what happens at the President’s office to her friend Devadarshini is just a small example. Viji’s dialogues help her in this pursuit.

 

However, the screenplay and writing in the film could have given Jyothika a stronger helping hand. Quantification of some of the characters with regard to their behavior could have been done better like for instance Rahman’s and the old lady’s. Abirami surfaces suddenly and her character seems forced.

 

A film like this is expected to evoke women’s empathy and root for the character, but sadly, it is a little weak on this domain. The first half glides through, but some sequences in the second half render a docu feel to the proceedings. The turn of events in Jyothika’s life also is sudden and out of the blue resorting to quick text book resolutions, the dissecting of them will result in spoilers.

 

Santhosh Narayanan’s Rasathe is filmed well and R. Diwakaran's visuals are pleasing.

 

Suriya needs a special mention as a producer. While the film can be welcomed for a woman centric theme which is a rarity in Tamil films and for its protagonist’s performance, if other factors have also been taken enough care, 36 Vayadhinile would have emerged more powerful.