Could humanity be its own worst enemy? This unsettling question lingers long after watching ‘Thandakaaranyam’, director Athiyan Athirai’s profoundly moving and intricately woven social drama. In his second feature film, Athirai masterfully contrasts the innocent aspirations and vulnerabilities of his characters with the harsh, brutal realities they endure under relentless systemic oppression. The narrative, rich in detail, gradually uncovers layers of this complex issue. Produced by Pa Ranjith, the film delves into a political trap targeting Adivasi communities, exploring themes of love, the power of nature, linguistic identity, Naxalism, and the insidious nature of greed.
Transporting us to 2008, ‘Thandakaaranyam’ takes its title from the vast Dandakaranya forest region, a significant setting in the ancient Indian epic, the Ramayana. Much like the epic’s central figures, this film centers on two brothers: Sadaiyan (portrayed with compelling intensity by VR Dinesh, also known as ‘Gethu’ Dinesh), who champions a fiery resistance against the lawless actions of those meant to uphold justice; and his younger brother, Murugan T (Kalaiyarasan, in a truly remarkable performance), who embodies the collective hope of their tribal community. Sadaiyan, with a gaze that speaks volumes, understands the dangers ahead, imploring Murugan to join law enforcement – to wear the very uniform often used to exploit the innocent. Yet, ‘Thandakaaranyam’ starkly illustrates how, whether one defies or conforms, the relentless fire of oppression threatens to consume everyone.
Initially, ‘Thandakaaranyam’ might evoke comparisons to other police dramas as it introduces us to a paramilitary training camp near Ranchi, Jharkhand. Here, recruits are being molded into an ISGS force tasked with confronting Naxalites across India. We witness Murugan and his fellow Tamil cadet, Rupesh (Bala Saravanan), facing relentless harassment from their northern peers, led by the intensely envious Amitabh (Shabeer Kallarakkal, delivering an exceptional performance). However, this film transcends typical conflict narratives. Athiyan skillfully shifts our perspective; just as Murugan’s fellow recruits initially misjudge him, viewers too might initially dismiss his poignant reaction to a classic Ilaiyaraaja song as exaggerated, only to later grasp the profound sorrow it embodies for him.
The narrative then deepens, revealing Murugan’s true character: his profound connection to his ancestral forest, the heartbreaking motivation behind joining the ISGS, and the formidable journey he is undertaking. The film intricately introduces a new geopolitical landscape. Murugan’s brother, Sadaiyan, is embroiled in a bitter conflict with a powerful, corrupt local business tycoon, Muthukumar, who operates a smuggling ring aided by a dishonest forest officer – the very officer Murugan temporarily works under, jeopardizing his future. Meanwhile, Murugan’s social status becomes a persistent source of humiliation, particularly from the disapproving parents of his partner, Priya (Vinsu Sam, in a breakout role).
But the complexity doesn’t end there. Athiyan Athirai meticulously peels back further layers of this intricate narrative, revealing that everyone, regardless of their position, is merely a small player unknowingly caught in the grip of a much larger, more predatory system—a system where even law enforcement itself is just a component.
Movie Details
- Director: Athiyan Athirai
- Cast: Kalaiyarasan, Dinesh, Shabeer Kallarakkal, Bala Saravanan
- Runtime: 130 mins
- Storyline: To fulfill the dreams of his townsmen and to protect them from corruption, a tribal man goes through a long and grueling journey at a paramilitary training camp.
While watching ‘Thandakaaranyam’, echoes of other powerful films might resonate, such as ‘Taanakkaran’, ‘Viduthalai’, or ‘Visaranai’. Yet, Athiyan’s film, drawing from a true event in Jharkhand, underscores a crucial distinction: it highlights how a specific, vulnerable segment of society is perpetually subjected to such relentless oppression. The screenplay meticulously charts Murugan’s arduous journey, confronting him with one obstacle after another. This relentless portrayal compels viewers to consider the immense mental and physical fortitude required for someone like Murugan to endure an unforgiving training camp where recruits are treated with shocking disregard.
Crafting a film of this nature is precarious; even the slightest misstep or lapse in clarity could undermine its entire impact. Any disruption can pull the audience out of the immersive experience – a challenge encountered occasionally, such as in certain interactions between Murugan and Amitabh, or inconsistencies in non-Tamil characters speaking Tamil versus Hindi. However, Athiyan’s screenplay largely succeeds in keeping the audience deeply invested. While a film with so many interwoven plotlines could easily feel forced, Athiyan remarkably manages to ground the narrative, ensuring that the unfolding events feel both seamless and profoundly believable.
The film’s emotional weight is powerfully conveyed through its evocative music and sharp dialogues. A recurring ‘Oppari’ (folk lament) resonates throughout, striking a chord deeply, much like its haunting appearance over the opening credits. Many lines are delivered with a delicate subtlety, yet carry a potent, often cutting, impact. In one particularly poignant scene, a woman expresses to her beloved a wish to walk naked through the forest’s shallow streams until they reach its edge. When asked why not venture further, her lyrical response reveals a profound truth: beyond the forest lies their village, where they would be forced to reclaim all they had shed – clothes, societal expectations, familial duties, gender roles, and individual identity. Another moment delivers a shocking revelation as a police officer casually defines ISGS’s counter-terrorism efforts: to ‘deter Naxalites, who are essentially the tribal people hindering domestic and international businessmen from exploiting natural resources through mining.’ The chilling nonchalance of this statement, delivered by the very person it implicates, adds a layer of ironic tragedy.
Crafting ‘Thandakaaranyam’ was undoubtedly an immense undertaking. It’s a sweeping narrative that bravely tackles a stark truth: the overwhelming burden of hatred borne by society’s most vulnerable. This film is a heartfelt lament, stirring deep emotions, and an existential symphony designed to deliberately exhaust the audience, driving home its central message. It speaks volumes, yet ultimately emphasizes one undeniable truth: humanity, in its rawest form, can be nature’s most destructive force.
Don’t miss ‘Thandakaaranyam’ when it premieres in theaters this Friday.