Vaazhai

It's been a while since I watched a movie that speaks to you at multiple levels . "Vaazhai"does that & more.

At a very obvious level it gives you a ringside view of the suffering and the exploitation of the workers employed in the banana plantations of Tamilnadu . The sole purpose of their existence , it seems , is to keep working only to repay their debts .

At another level , you see the lost childhood of the young Siva who dreams of a life beyond carrying the head loads of the harvested Banana crop to the lorries thru the slush and mud .

As with a Banana Tree, the director peels away the various layers of a relationship.

Mari Selvaraj takes you thru this roller coaster of emotions, the rural milieu, childhood infatuation, a friendship that transcends the Kamal - Rajni rivalry , the brother- sister relationship and much more with absolute finesse.

With a bunch of unheralded but hugely talented star cast , " Vaazhai" goes for the jugular with a brilliant climax .

The young actor - Ponvel - who plays the role of Siva , has turned in a performance worthy of a national award.

Watch " Vaazhai" to rediscover the forgotten art of meaningful filmmaking.