Maara

Realise the magic of life in you, notice the mystical beauty of existence. Take note of the  attractions like Paaru, when little, her feeling as she sees a speeding train from within her bus and as she is grown up and her family wants to get her married, how she is attracted to move across seas, rivers and mountains, and reach Fort Kochi, where the paintings attract her and she realizes a connection, yes connection. Some do call it coincidence.  Some destiny. And at time I feel them to be a divine magic.

A feel good emotional story of love and generations, the opening shot of fireflies fluttering about is a strong hint of the magic contained within the universe of this film. Shortly, you see little Paaru in rapt attention, as a nun narrates to her the story of a soldier who’s travelling across seas and jungles in a quest to find his soul. This is pretty much the story of this film as well, as Paaru (Shraddha Srinath) grows up to find herself in a similar quest for her soul, well, soulmate, in Maara (Madhavan). There’s another quest for a soulmate in this film, one undertaken by Vellaiyan (a wonderful Mouli), one that is later taken over by Maara.

The film is a reinforcement of the power of stories, of the stories each of our lives are. This is why there are multiple characters with their own short stories, including those of Selvi (Abhirami), the sex worker, and Kani (Shivada), the guilt-ridden doctor. The implication is that no one story is necessarily more important than another.  Maara is a person who breezes through life hoping to repay the extraordinary help that Vellaiyan a postman has done to him, having met in train. Maara who is keen to listen to others stories, and is curious  about love stories. Loved Mouli in particular, who plays Vellaiya, an old man consumed by his unrequited love. So also the introductory  bus journey and little Paru listening  to story first from her grandmother Seema and then from a sister Padmavati Rao who save her grandmother, establishing the connection. By not attempting to remake Charlie, but by doing full justice to it, Dilip Kumar has indeed succeeded in making twice in a life-time experience possible with an amazing  cinematography. 

Of course, much of this credit must go to the original film, Charlie. So are the reasons  and connections  between  the movie. Charlie would have been far from perfect and had appealed  to a certain  section of people. Few could not get in terms with his fantasy life, but I loved the movie for Parvathi as I did see a bit of me in her, for the songs, and I started liking  Dulkars acting from that movie. Madhavan being  my favorite  actor since the Sea Hawk days, and having seen him grow and mature over the years, was curious  to see how the character fitment would be, and had been wondering  why did they not let Dulkar do the role. Watching  the movie did give an answer. Was wondering  about Kalpana and Seema as Parus Patti, reminded me of KPSC. 

Had been curious  to watch this movie, Thankfully, I could, making this a Happy Weekend! Look for the magical connections,  keep loving.