How many times do you come across a movie that is so simple in its theme, so predictable in its story that you can almost predict the next dialogue; filled with all the right scenes you did already know would be there; and still absolutely LOVE the movie? That’s the magic of Mani Rathnam and his most talked about movie – Mouna Raagam, meaning Silent Melodies. Yes, you know what is going to happen in the movie from the very first scene, and yet you are interested in every scene of the movie. Simple, beautiful movie on love, I now know fully why this movie is hailed as one of Mani’s ever best.
Mouna Raagam
At the very outset, let me tell you that I don’t understand Tamil one word. I would have never understood the movie if not for the sub-titles! Even given that, I am in love with this movie.
Revathi plays the girl next door who is nearing her graduation. As all normal middle class families, her marriage is of the utmost importance to the family. Being the eldest of three daughters only makes her case worse. On the day the groom is supposed to come, she deliberately decides not to come home and instead wanders all around the town. However to her shock, the groom and his family are still awaiting her even in the night. After a confession to the groom that she is not interested in the marriage, much to her horror, the groom simply says – I like you in a typical groom style and walks away.
After a cliché heart attack to her dad, she agrees to marry. However again, she is not happy. She makes it known to the hero that she is not really interested in the marriage. The loving husband makes all amends to adjust with her, but she doesn’t budge. Once when he suggests ask him for a gift, she demands a divorce. The day he brings her the gift is also the day when she tells him about her previous love and why she is not happy with this marriage. To her, he was the one she was going to marry, however he dies right in front of her. After a sobbing wife tries to walk away, the husband still tries to hand her the gift he got – the divorce papers and pair of payals. The husband meekly asks her to choose between the gift he gave and the gift she wants.
She chooses the divorce papers; however according to Indian Penal Code, a married couple has to stay together for 1 year before a mutual divorce. Mouna Raagam is the story of that one year.
Direction
Mani Rathnam is the best director of Indian Cinema for me (Ram Gopal Verma, Shekar Kapur, Bhansali and Yash Chopra follow next). Mani’s magic is scene (pun intended) in every scene of the movie! The first casual glance between the hero and the heroine to the smallest of nuances has been captured superbly on screen. Add to it, Mani chooses to stay Indian in the movie. No Swiss locales, but you have Rajasthan. No Queen Victoria’s Mahal anywhere, but instead he chooses to direct a beautiful song on the bank of Taj Mahal.
Music
Music has always been Mani’s strength. This is no different – rather this must be one of the best melodies I have heard in my life. Again, I don’t understand the songs, but I do feel them. Each song except a bubbly song in beginning is a gem by itself. As the name suggests of the movie, every song is silent melody. There are just 5 songs in the movie, and 4 of them are absolutely mind blowing.
Performances
Show me a Mani Rathnam movie where the lead performers don’t act well? If he could make Madhu act in Roja, he may very well make a donkey act like Hrithik Roshan (err..thats not a very big improvement is it?) . Anyways, clearly without saying, this movie belongs to Revathi for her inspired and sincere performance as the troubled wife coming to terms with her husband. Both lead actors perform their roles superbly, and specially the first love who puts in a small but spirited performance. [please excuse…my lack of Tamil knowledge leaves me no idea of who those actors were!]
So Says Supremus
Finally, in the end, to sum it up – well – Don’t Miss this movie. If you are looking for one of Mani’s ever best, then this is the perfect movie for you. Just take care that either you have a vcd/dvd with subtitles, or drag your Madrasi friend to sit with you throughout the movie. By the way for trivia, this is the original movie which since then has inspired countless number of movies on the same theme – from Woh Saath Din to HDDCS – every script resembles the silent melody cast upon us by Mani!
Happy viewing!