Kadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai Review

One thing is for sure — ever since OTT arrived, we have started to watch a great number of movies. But, as soon as we think about how we watch them, it’s a bit concerning. It is very difficult for us to sit through an entire movie because of our impatience in recent times. We skip the introduction, long conversations, or parts that consume our precious time. But, this doesn’t seem to be the case when we go to the theatres. If we are late to a movie, we really feel screwed; even missing out on the title card feels like we haven’t fully immersed ourselves in the movie-watching experience. 

We often consider theatrical experience more entertaining than online binge-watching. That’s probably why we regret missing out on some great films in theatres. So, in the near future, if you come across Kadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai on any online platform, you might feel the same — like you missed the chance to watch it on the big screen. The reason for this is because of two things: the way Jayaprakash has crafted it and the subject it deals with —  a coming-of-age story that delves into sexual awakening. 

There aren’t any unnecessary complications in the screenplay as the film dives into the story right away with Sam (Lijomol Jose) talking to her mother, Lakshmi (Rohini), about her relationship. We learn that Sam is hesitant about disclosing her partner’s name, even though Lakshmi seems jovial. We only understand the reason behind her hesitation when Nandhini (Anusha) comes into the picture. Things get really awkward when Sam finally opens up about her romantic interest in Nandhini. Lakshmi, who plays as a cool mom, cannot take this easily.

The staging of this entire set-up is simple and realistic. The conversation in the film feels striking and enlightening — it convincingly answers all of the predefined notions one may have on homosexuality and triumphs by leading audiences to think — ‘Maybe this isn’t a big deal’. But yeah! There are times it may feel preachy to us, but it is bearable.  

It is also heartwarming to see Ravindra being a supportive friend to Sam and Nandhini. Kalesh in this character pulls off a decent performance, but we can’t compare it to the likes of Lijomol’s (Sam). Ravindra’s statements supporting Sam don’t seem to bother Devaraj (Vineeth), who is also blatantly against her daughter’s (Sam) relationship. We can consider Devaraj as a metaphorical representation of outdated ideas that’s popular in our society — a type of person who considers homosexuality a mental illness and abortion a crime. But, it is good to see the trio — Ravindra-Sam-Nandhini — staying focussed in what they want. 

Another part which deserves our applause is that Mary (Deepa), who is a housemaid, easily understands Sam and Nandhini. She says that their relationship isn’t ‘new’ to her, as she has already come across a lesbian couple in her very own locality. Portraying her in this manner nullifies the chances of the story being cancelled under the label of an ‘elite concept’. It also emphasizes on the fact that sometimes, educated people can actually be idiots.

This review on Kadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai doesn’t intend to say it is flawless. As said earlier, there are times we may encounter artificial dialogues or amateurish shots. But, the good thing is that these are tolerable, as the film manages to engage us all the way through. Also, its take on ‘love is common for everybody’ makes it a compulsory watch — something you shouldn’t miss at all, even on OTT.