Piravi

A heart wrenching tale of an old man waiting for his son to return home. This 1988 classic directed by Shaji N. Karun is based on the story of Rajan, a student who was tortured and allegedly killed by policemen.

Premji portrays the pain and suffering of Raghava Chakyar, who indefinitely waits for his son Raghu’s return. His expressions and subtle performance makes the viewer connect with the character of the old man. The film has minimal dialogues but the camera work of Sunny Joseph makes nature and the landscapes convey unspoken sentiments. Shaji’s direction is unique. He uses the untouched village backdrop as a character alongwith the monsoons playing an important role in the film. His portrayal of the boatman as a catalyst of hope speaks volumes of his ability to create fine moments in the film.

This Malayalam film, which means ‘Birth’ has won National and International acclaim and was screened in over 40 film festivals. IMDb has a rating of 9/10 for Piravi.

The film won National Awards for Best Actor (Premji), Best Director and Best Film in the year 1989.

I watched this movie today and it made me think of the helplessness of many who do not have the ability to question or confront the exploitation of corrupt political systems. If you are someone who watches slow paced movies with a lot of depth, do not miss ‘Piravi’. This film is a gem in the genre of parallel cinema.