Movie Review : Jama
Tandavam ( Chethan Kadambi) , a consummate theatre actor runs a theatre troupe in a village. Kalyanam ( Pari Elavazhagan) whose late father had started the troupe, is now a part of the theatre troupe and plays mostly women roles. He is passionate about theatre and refuses to give it up even when his acting in this jama in women roles, spoils his chances of marriage as people make fun of his effiminate traits. This causes lot of tension to his widowed mother who wants to see him settled in life.
Tandavam's daughter Jagadambal ( Ammu Abhirami) loves Kalyanam and loves her too. But he refuses to marry her because his mission is to restore the lost glory of his father Ilavarsan who was the founder of this jama before Tandavam ousted him in a plot. Ilavarsan never recovered from the heartbreaking events.
But despite Jaga's warnings about hervown father, the innocent Kalyanam worships Tandavam who is in reality despises him and is manipulating him, and stifling his talent by not giving him bigger and central male roles.
One day, Kalyanam summons the courage to gather funds to make his own new jama, but he is met with betrayal. His mother dies of heartbreak.
What happens next? Does Kalyanam ever get what he wants Does he prove himself as the leader of a jama? Does Tandavam give up his manipulative ways?
The team of Jama, particularly director and hero Pari Kalazhagan deserves kudos for choosing an unusual subject for their film and giving an interesting peek into the lives of theatre troupe artists, in a well made film.
Apart from the subject, its the screenplay that grips you right from the first scene. Pari takes the viewer into his world revealing the love, betrayal, yearning, manipulation, pain and pathos in the lives of his characters, namely Ilavarsan and Kalyanam.
The camerawork is superb, with its color tones and palettes showcasing the lives of the theatre artists. The drama sequences from the mahabharata are realistically portrayed and are engaging.
The music by Ilayaraja is a major backbone for the film.
The performances of every character right from the leads, to Tandavam, Poonai, Ilavarsan and his wife, are superb.
Actor Chethan Kadambi seems to have ttansformed himself into Tandavam and his histonics are a sheer delight to watch. After Viduthalai this is another meaty role for him and his act is a highlight of the film.
Pari as Kalyanam is most impressive in every frame. Be it dialogues, transformation from masculine to effiminate, or the way he brings out the innocence, determination, yearning and frustration of his character, every bit is praiseworthy.
Ammu Abhirami has given a fiery and realistic performance in a well written role.
Several vignettes stand out in memory, be it the confrontations between kalyanam and Jagadambal, or the complicated dynamics between Tandavam and Kalyanam. The troupe performing mahabharata scenes, the climax portions, the scenes between mother and son, all high in drama and emotions, potrayed in the flavor of the local dialect where the film is set, make it all the more realistic.
However, why Kalyanam returns to the jama even after his mother's death, why he allows Tandavam to insult him and manipulate him to such a large extent all through is a characteristc that is tough to comprehend in the way its narrated. Tandavam's last scene, though moving, could have been done with more clarity.
But, the strength of the film is the way it highlights a traditional art form and deserves kudos.
Jama with its racy screenplay, realistic performances, a superb cast, dramatic moments and emotional rollercoaster and peek into a different world, is an entertaining and engaging watch.
Rating 3.5 /5
Cast & Crew:
Pari Elavazhagan, Chetan, Ammu Abhirami, Sri Krishna Dayal, K.V.N Manimegalai, Kaala Kumar, Vasanth Marimuthu, Jesuraj, S.Sarathi Krishnan, Siva Maran, A.K.Elavazhagan.
Musical compositions by Isaignani Ilaiyaraaja, who is also a lyricist.
Directed by Pari Elavazhagan
Produced by Sai Devanand S, Sasikala S, Sai Venkateswaran S of Ssbv Learn And Teach Production Private Limited, known for producing the critically acclaimed film 'Koozhangal.'