Family Padam Movie Review: It’s ironic how Indian society celebrates movies, but doesn’t always encourage people from their own families to enter the world of cinema. We are a fundamentally aspirational society, but look down on cinematic aspirants. Some stem from fear of the future, some from feelings of bitterness, and some love to trample dreams. Everyone believes that they can succeed in the Dream Factory of any lineage, but cinema is not a level playing field, even if successful people suggest that cinema is a democratic place. Despite all this, the world of cinema continues to attract many believers. Rising from such an unforgiving place, debutant director Selva Kumar Thirumaran has come up with the movie Parivar Padam about one such believer.
Thamiz (Udhay Karthik) is an aspiring filmmaker, who is sketched to match Ajith Kumar’s Sridhar from VZ Dhorai’s Mugwari. Like Sridhar, Thamiz is surrounded by a loving family, who understands his passion. However, Selva makes sure he stays true to the title, and the focus is firmly on the family side of things. We are introduced to this happy-go-lucky family consisting of Thamiz’s grandfather Izhumalai (Mohansundaram), his father Thavakumar (Santosh), mother Viji (Sreeja Ravi), elder brother Sarathkumar (an excellent Vivek Prasanna), and elder brother Parthi (Parthivan). . What really works for the film is how each member of the family has a personal arc, and their world is not centered around Thamiz’s trials and tribulations.
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It is beautiful how Thamiz’s struggle to become a director is intertwined with the important events that happen within the family. For example, take the scene where he is humiliated by a filmmaker who doesn’t even give him the time to listen to his script. Along with this, we see Parthi going to the ‘Ponnu Pakar’ ceremony to meet Swathi. Even as Thamiz faces rejection, Parthi wins Swathi’s heart by telling the story of his own humiliation, albeit in jest. This wonderful balance makes family Padam refreshing in such struggles as the family does not wait for Thamiz. But it is not because he has been forgotten. They just understand. And this understanding makes them decide to produce Thamiz’s debut film when everything doesn’t go his way.
Here is the trailer
Now, Selva isn’t too interested in demonstrating the intricacies of filmmaking. He does not want to tell how difficult it is to bring the film from paper to the screen. The writing is more focused on getting us invested in the characters. It’s a no-frills take on filmmaking that focuses on human relationships rather than the struggle to make a film hit theaters. Therefore, victory means nothing when things fall into place. When Thames’ chance meeting with a good Samaritan leads to something more special, the convenience is definitely annoying, but we get over it because we understand that family deserves a push. This family padam is more about the family and less about the padam.
However, there are only so many concessions we can give to the film. In fact, the film is rock solid when it revolves around Thamiz, his family, and his friend (a hilarious Kavin). But this is undone by the romantic track of Thamiz and Yamuna (Subhiksha Kayrohanam), which feels rushed and too convenient. Although both characters display a welcome sense of maturity in their relationship, it feels like a simplistic and understated means to an end.
Subhiksha and Udaya Karthik in the family padam.
Parvimpadam is a very meta film on many levels, and has shades of other Tamil films in the genre, including Jigarthanda and Upu Karuvadu. However, the movie decides to take the simple route of family entertainment, which is actually quite difficult to crack. Selva really reminds you of Vishu, TP Gajendran and Radhamohan in his world despite the treachery and insecurity lurking around every corner. But it also has some template views that don’t really scream simplicity.
For example, take the scene where Thamiz and a great masala cinema hero listen to his script. The same is true when the Creator betrays Thamiz and pushes him into a world of misery. But he also gives wonderful moments like Thamiz that his family will follow him no matter what.
What really works for the film is the strong undercurrent of humor. The explosive interval block also begins with a funny line about Mutta Dosai. An organic stunt sequence that unites the brothers also ends with a fun intervention. Admittedly, the movie is burdened with obvious foreshadowing and has a lot of writing features like the typical ‘hospital’ scene where secrets are revealed. But the film also has refreshing characters who don’t follow the set pattern of behavior expected of them.
Another strength of the film is the relevant dialogues that are never shown. Vivek Prasanna’s monologue about ‘settling’ in life, Parthivaan’s disdain for a delicate relative, Udaya’s resignation about life being unfair and how important it is to fight the good fight, Sreeja’s throwaway line on being a mother, Thavakumar’s determination to do the right thing by himself. Sons, Mohansundaram’s cheeky one-liners and a rare sentimental one…everything works in favor of the movie. The Vivek family stands tall in Padam, and is the emotional anchor. Uday points to Karthik, who seems to have developed the ability to share the spotlight at the same time despite being the ‘hero’ of the film.
Parthivan, Vivek Prasanna, Uday Karthik in Parivar Padam.
Family Padam may seem like a ‘small’ film but like a film within a film, this team thrives within its limitations. Anivi’s songs are catchy with catchy lyrics and Ajesh’s background score elevates the movie wonderfully. Cinematographer Meyendiran seems to be the go-to guy for such films that want to show Chennai without a cinematic filter.
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We have heard many filmmakers say that bringing their film from their brains to the screen is like giving birth to a baby. Just like it takes a village to raise a child, sometimes it takes a family to make a padam. But what makes it successful? As one character in the film says, “Luck in cinema is seeing talent by the right people…” Hopefully, this time, luck will favor Selva and company.
Family Padam Movie Director: Selva Kumar Thirumaran
Family Padam Movie Cast: Uday Karthik, Vivek Prasanna, Sreeja Ravi, Parthivan Kumar
Family Padam Movie Rating: 3 stars