Magalir Mattum

Directed by Bramma and produced by Suriya Sivakumar, Magalir Mattum (which translates to 'Ladies Only' in English), is a heartening Tamil drama film released in the year 2017. The movie features an ensemble cast including Jyotika, Urvashi, Saranya Ponvannan, and Bhanupriya in pivotal roles. Flaunting an IMDB rating of 7.7/10, this film captures the essence of life across dimensions of age, time, and conventional societal norms.

The plot revolves around an independent and feisty documentary filmmaker, Prabhavathi (played by Jyotika), who is based in Mumbai. Her life is driven by her passion for her craft and her strong-willed personality. She introduces herself as someone who vehemently fights everything that is wrong and unethical. Her focus is her work, but she doesn't shy away from her commitment to social issues, operating as an assertive and compassionate righter of wrongs in her surroundings. Prabhavathi's character is a poignant portrayal of modern independent women that the audience instantly connects to.

As Prabhavathi moves to Chennai, she encounters her future mother-in-law, Gomatha Silkurayappan (portrayed beautifully by Urvashi), leading to a deep-rooted bond forming between the two women. Urvashi's character unfolds as a widow who reminisces her long-lost college buddies - Subbulakshmi Kutti and Rani Amirthakumari. They are portrayed by two other stalwarts of Tamil cinema, Saranya Ponvannan and Bhanupriya. Gomatha narrates tales from their youthful, carefree college days, how they'd made dreams and plans for their lives. She also laments about losing touch with her friends due to circumstances and time.

Inspired by Gomatha's longing to reconnect with her friends, Prabhavathi decides to unite these estranged friends. As the story unravels, the audience is transported to the magical era of the 70s and 80s through the narratives and flashbacks. The story gently juxtaposes the optimism and joys of the past with the stark realities of present lives, where these women have been confined within societal norms and their respective familial roles. They live as a dutiful mother-in-law, an obedient wife, and a loyal baggage-carrier of their families, burying their dreams and desires into oblivion.

Magalir Mattum is an articulate storytelling that dismantles the notion of perfect and successful life being conditioned by societal expectations for women. It's a poignant reflection on how the journey of life often buries dreams under duties. The film reveals how these three characters bask in the glory of their past while confronting their present during a road trip that Prabhavathi initiates.

The film beautifully communicates that it's never too late to chase one's dreams or to live for oneself, and it doesn't belittle the importance of familial obligations while doing so. The on-screen chemistry among Jyotika, Urvashi, Saranya Ponvannan, and Bhanupriya is heartwarming. All of them brought life to their respective characters with a highly commendable performance, offering a narrative that is powerful, humorous, and deeply emotional.

Magalir Mattum is not just a film but a warm hug to womanhood. It’s about women from different walks of life, who despite having led varied lives, are united by their shared experiences. They find a part of themselves in each other and the story creatively unearths the hidden desires within every woman.

Music composed by Ghibran Mehrad is one of the movie's strongest pillars, harmoniously synchronizing with the film's atmospherics and mood effortlessly. The background score revives the 80’s touch and the songs are quite engaging.

Cinematographer Manikandan has done a commendable job in capturing emotions through his lens. Each frame in the film is aesthetically pleasing. The production design by C. S. Prem Kumar is top-notch, infusing life into the characters, their homes, and surroundings.

Magalir Mattum is not just another film in Tamil cinema; it is an experience of delving into lives so realistically portrayed that it evokes an emotional response from the viewer. It makes you laugh and cry, but above all, it makes you ponder over the notions of freedom and dreams versus reality. With its simple yet powerful narrative, brilliant performances, soulful music, and impressive cinematography, Magalir Mattum leaves a lasting impact.