Mandela – A Classic Political Satire from Tamil Industry
While the 2021 Assembly elections are nearing its final stage, this classic political satire from tamil Industry Mandela ( Referring Nelson Mandela) Released as a direct Premiere in Television (Vijay TV Tamil) on 4th April 2021. This Comedy drama starring Yogi babu and sheela Rajkumar in lead role was written and directed by Madonne Ashwin. He got his National award Special mention for his short film Dharmam in 2013.
The movie shows about the vote and caste politics in our system and how a single vote can make a difference in our structural constitution. The film starts with two caste groups in a village fighting for Opening a public toilet and they made Smile (Yogibabu) clean the dog shit because he belongs to a lower caste. Yogi Babu working as barber along with his Companion Girudha have their residence only under a banyan tree. They were made to do household works of villagers and they have ni right to ask their remuneration.
From this screenplay rocketed into next level where the local election starts where Rathnam and mathi ( the other lead actors) have equal number of votes and the deciding factor is going to be the vote of Madela and which candidate make ensure the vote of Mandela to make a win is the key story of the movie. There are several strong messages with comical dialogues portrayed all over the movie. The scene were smile changed his name to Mandela , the introduction scene and the conversation between Mandela and Girutha set the mood of the film.
Especially while entering post office Mandela ask his mate “How to enter this office without any back gate ? clearly shows how rooted the caste system in India and the way people was treated. When the villagers relaised that the one vote of Mandela is going to be the game changer and the way they treated him after this is what happens in most of the elections in our democratic country. The film clearly explains about the systematic and structural failer current election model and how it got manipulated by multiple xfactors and the influence money gives nowadays. The films gives a strong notion for those who takes social being and democracy as granted.
The climax gives a strong message that the priority of the people is always welfare for their own and their society which is beautifully portrayed by the actors. Sheela Rajkumar perfectly suits the role of Thenmozhi who works in the rural post office. Her top notch acting and sharp dialogues with nativity make us feel that she did her part well. Other actors did their part well and the story telling makes it with a ease. Music is good and 2 other songs are Ok. Overall Cinematography clearly picturise the rural backdrop and the landscape.
The very good thing about the movie is the time at which it premieres on Star Vijay TV a highly political drama happening in the real life scenario which makes the movie more connectable at situations. The movie is also available on Netflix from April 5 , 2021.
