Nadigar Thilagam Sivaji Ganesan Part 10

[P_R]

Finally finally saw ThillAnA on the large screen
Arguably the most complete Tamil film of all time.
Sivaji, KV Mahadevan, APN, Padmini, Nagesh, Baliah, Manorama

An outstanding performance from Sivaji. As I tried to write once earlier, SikkalAr is one of his very best characters/performances. The naturally hypersensitive supreme artist is depicted with such fluency and perfection.

Right from the first சமிக்ஞை to the (தன்னையே மறந்து வாசிக்கும்) Baliah - to notice Mohana to the dazed expression when glancing at his hand - which had just slapped Mohana - in the intermediate moment between the Maharaja clearing the air and exiting and Thangarathnam (AVM Rajan) entering to inform him of Mohana's suicide attempt. சிக்கலார் பத்தி எவ்வளவு தான் சொல்றது. It always feels incomplete. Such a wholesome performance.

Hats off to APN - every single larger-context (நாதச் சக்ரவர்த்தி) line was placed with maximum effect without affecting the balance of the script - indeed accentuating the aesthetics. And some camera movements can only be appreciated fully on large screen - with larger than life images - like the confrontation with Mohana in Madhanpur - the drama is there even in the arcs the camera cuts to capture Shanmugam back and forth.

My favourite Nagesh performance of all time. I have possibly quoted most of his lines. He is at his funniest best when he attempts to insult Sivaji - which he does in many places in the film. The way he asks them to start performing in the Rao Bahadur function..

"சண்முகசுந்தரம், நீ சட்டையெல்லாம் அவுத்துட்டு... '
Still laughing as I type this.

to Murali sir and Mr.Raghavendran and the NT Fans organization for the screening. Look forward to the next.