Sometimes reading comments on a movie video can tell you a lot about the sentiments of the generation. It makes you reflect back to the movie and its message and how relevant it is to the current generation.
A movie which I feel is misunderstood is Kaliveedu. This 1996 movie by one of my favourite directors Sibi Malayil is about marriage, its breakdown and the roles and responsibilities of husband and wife to make a marriage successful. Imagine a SWOT analysis of a product and finding its USP. The movie is somewhere on the lines of such a deep discussion. Malayil in his usual way made or attempted to make a movie which passes on a message. How that message is taken or received by the audience of then and now is up to the people.
Kaliveedu is a 1996 Malayalam family drama film directed by Sibi Malayil. It stars Jayaram, Manju Warrier, Jagadish, Sunitha and Vani Viswanath. The film explores the marital relationship of Mahesh and Mridula and their lives following their divorce.
Personally, I loved the movie. Even if I wouldn't have seen Malayil’s name flashed on the screen before a cheery Jayaram ( love his smile, irrespective of the movie) and a grumpy Jagadeesh open the scene with a usual Malayali trademark banter of sarcasm, playful retorts and giving a possibility of a fun, light hearted movie ahead.
Jayaram plays Mahesh who is an architect/interior designer in his own company. Ulahannan played by Jagadeesh is his friend and neighbour. The characters are minimal and not a rambling household of elders, uncles, aunts and cousins. Malayil probably wanted to focus on just the man women relationship.
The movie starts with a very modern USA returned Yamini insisting on Mahesh’s work for her future house. As they get to know each other, Yamini’s father takes a liking to him. Mahesh is reluctant to move forward with the relationship. And then he narrates his story to Yamini. A past of a broken marriage, of misunderstandings and a house which for him resembled clay.
Mahesh married Mridula, a proposal which was liked and mutually agreed by all. As they start their new life, problems arise because of Mridula’s incompetence and immaturity. But not everything is her fault. Mahesh is strictler for discipline, order and a neat house. He also has specific taste preferences. He refuses to adjust and Mridula stubbornly messes up her role too.
Having known both the actors with an impressive and legendary movie list to their credit you know you would not get a lackadaisical performance. As a husband who loves his wife but also likes order and etiquette in his home, food and in his being, Jayaram portrayed the male semi-patriarchal character very well. But with a hint of mellowness and warmth. Manju as the perky and young wife shows the initial immaturity of Mridula,In the manner that Malayil must have desired.
The character of Yamini brings in the twist that is again a genius of Malayil. We wonder if Mahesh will go ahead with the live-in relationship with her (scandalous for 1996 Kerala) and become a more adjusting husband, Or will Yamini teach him a feminist lesson? Will Mridula find someone else and this becomes a triangle to square based love story?
Malayil though believes in traditional romance. The old fashioned kinds which endeared him to generations of Malayalies. And me too. Mahesh is thus pushed and pulled enough by Yamini’s antics at his sacred home, he rushes to Mridula’s house on hearing that she may get married again. Rest is a story of how they come together by the kindly intervention of several people.
I would have dismissed this movie as regressive and one of those wife-bashing movies which were popular in the 90s. But Vani’s mini speech at the climax and the viewpoint shared about both husbands and wives, the understanding nature of Mridula’s father (played by Innocent) and the quiet support of Ulahannan (Jagadeesh) a friend and neighbour, shows maturity of the director in forming a movie and showing a story of well balanced emotions. Here neither patriarchy nor feminism wins. Rather it is a message of maturity and balance, which applies to all ages and cultures where marriage is still respected. If that is the case, then this movie is a winner. It depends on your viewpoint.
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