All experts are on the same page when it comes to Pariyerum Perumal – not another star vehicle, but a movie that echoes the voice of the filmmaker and shows a naked picture of ‘caste.’
The film opens with a heart-wrenching scene showing Pariyan (Kathir), the lead, sitting with his friends and bathing their dogs in a small puddle. This happy moment is cut short when another gang – that of the upper-caste community – walks up to them. As Pariyan walks away, he realises his dog, Karupie, is missing. Next, they are seen running towards the railway tracks where Karupie is tied and seconds away from a fast-approaching train. But before they can reach the dog, tragedy strikes.
Karuppi’s death affects you – the song is so poignant – but we quickly move on to the tale of Pariyerum Perumal, who is now off to Tirunelveli to study law. “I want to become a doctor,” he tells the principal, “Doctor Ambedkar, I mean”.
But things aren’t easy.
Pariyerum Perumal tackles the topic of caste conflicts head on. The movie asks tough questions on caste inequality and honour killing, applauds The Hindu.
His intimacy with Jothi Mahalakshmi (Anandhi) is frowned upon as she belongs to an upper caste. The irony is that all this happens right inside the campus of a law college, writes The Hindu.
The film also questions a number of other ‘accepted’ practises.
Why is a law college in Tirunelveli teaching its students in English? Why is the inability to speak in English looked down upon? In a classroom, who decides who can sit in the front row and who gets to sit in the back, asks The News Minute.
The director, Mari Selvaraj, commendably portrays how honour killings are passed off as accidents and suicides. And what is scary is how most of these incidents have either happened or are happening in this country.
The songs by Santhosh Narayanan give another dimension to the film. From folk numbers to trippy, racy numbers, the music composer has given it all to this film, writes India Today.
A lot of appreciation is pouring in because Mari is not being preachy, but instead leaves the audience to be the judge.
All critics have just one thing to say – if there is one movie you will watch this year, it has be Pariyerum Perumal. And many believe that while it might not run in as many theatres as Chekka Chivantha Vaanam or NOTA, word-of-mouth and social media has got many people heading to theatres to watch this movie.
(At The Quint, we are answerable only to our audience. Play an active role in shaping our journalism by becoming a member. Because the truth is worth it.)