Rightaaa Thappaa
"Rightaaa Thappaa" ... a neat film on a relevant theme
TAKING UP a topical theme, adding a touch of the commercial and making a neat family film is not an easy proposition, at a time when only formula stuff sells. Buvana, the award winner of many a short film, who enters the full-length feature arena with VB Film Makers' "Rightaaa Thappaa" (U/A), faces the challenge quite well. Based on a true incident that happened down South a few years ago and set in the background of Kanyakumari and the adjoining town, "Rightaaa ... " deals with the havoc that eve teasing could lead to.
Sathya (Ramana) is a studious yet fun-loving college goer. An affectionate mom (Seetha) who is a schoolteacher, and a young sister (Hemalatha) make up his small, happy family. His friends from childhood (played by Avinash, Deena (of Suriyan FM) and Manikandan) have now turned wayward — but Sathya remains responsible and level headed though he continues to be in their company. Uncle's daughter Viji (Uma) is his fiancée and the families are just waiting for Sathya to settle down, before the two tie the knot. But it's not going to be easy. Unwittingly drawn into the dragnet of his friends for whom boozing and teasing the school going girls in the neighbourhood is a regular pastime, Ramana joins them in the beach that evening, little knowing that the seemingly harmless sojourn would result in disaster.
"Rightaaa ... " should prove a worthy break for young hero Ramana. The actor has done a commendable job — particularly poignant and moving is the scene when he and his sister (Hemalatha's portrayal is equally touching) meet in prison. Another heart-rending enactment comes from Seetha. The spontaneous show by Rajashekar, the distressed and angry uncle of Sathya, proves that he's a veteran In fact, most of the characters big and small — Uma, Suryakanth, Shanmughasundaram, `Bose' Venkat, Meera Krishna and Lakshmi Paati — make a deep impact with their natural performance. You don't have the predictable, heartless policeman or the cantankerous businessman in "Rightaaa ... "— `Bose' Venkat and `Bayilvan' Ranganathan are very different.
It's not as though the film does not have its share of glitches. For instance, it is rather late when the son tells the mother that he has done no wrong. Seetha could have extracted the truth earlier. At many points you feel that she keeps silent and moves about here and there, when she should have spoken out more. And that slows down the pace a little.
Mahesh Muthuswami's camera presents the backdrop of the town and the beaches of Kanyakumari, in an appealing light. The other technical credit that warrants mention is Suresh Urs (editing). Karthik Raja's music is a highlight. The scintillating tunes ("Yaaridam Solvaen" is one) and sensitive rerecording are a treat.
A subject for youth and elders alike, "Rightaaa ... " drives home the point that playful and seemingly harmless acts of youngsters could result in trauma — not only for the girls subjected to mockery but for the boys involved, and their families. Buvana's gumption to make a clean entertainer that makes you think, should not go unrewarded. A must-see for the youth and parents of today!
MALATHI RANGARAJAN
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Entertainment
Bangalore
Chennai and Tamil Nadu
Delhi
Hyderabad
Thiruvananthapuram
