Cast: Parvathy Thiruvothu, Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli, Kalieswari Sreenivasan
Music: Ilaiyaraaja
Direction: Vasanth S Sai
Sivaranjiniyum Innum Sila Pengallum is an anthology of three stories about three women in different time periods. The film was initially released in 2018 and post its rounds at various film festivals, it’s now available on Sony LIV. The film’s three stories portray the patriarchy in the household at different time periods.
The first story is set in 1980, about Saraswathi (Kalieswari Sreenivasan). She and her husband, Chandran (Karunakaran) are returning home. She is holding her baby on one hand and a bag on another. Chandran walks swiftly without any trouble. In this story, the central woman is timid and devoted to her husband whereas the husband character is just the breadwinner of the family.
In the second story which is set in 1995, the central character Devaki (Parvathy Thiruvothu) is working in a Government job. The husband character here is jovial, supportive. In the last story set in 2007, Sivaranjini (Lakshmi Priyaa Chandramouli) suppresses her athletic dreams because of her marriage. Her character is similar to Saraswathi’s but not timid. The husband character is similar to the first story, doesn’t help his wife, but isn’t abusive like Chandran’s character. Through the years, the way women face problems have changed but the privilege of a man hasn’t.
These stories as such are simple, but Vasanth’s amazing blocking with beautiful cinematography makes the film interesting. To illustrate how amazing the blocking works, take the third story. Shivaranjini is an athlete, who couldn’t participate in Nationals meet because of marriage. In the scenes inside the house, she is constantly pacing between the rooms. Her athletic skills are reduced only used between the rooms. That’s so effective to communicate the emotions.
Another very interesting aspect is the framing choice in capturing the conversations. Throughout the film the characters that are talking are within a door frame (frame within a frame). And in all three stories, there is a kid who is going to part of the next generation. Except in Saraswathi’s story, other stories had active involvement of the kids. They witness the patriarchy and we only hope the next generation turnout as better humans.
Verdict: The tales of patriarchy are simple, but form makes it interesting and a great film
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