The new film from Fazeel (Trapped) is a touching story of humanity and kindness. The film take an unconventional approach, initially building tension like a thriller. The excellent cinematography of Pradeep comes into its own, really helping to create the suspense.
The structure of the film is interesting too – split into chapters. This works effectively and adds to the sense that the film is a sort of didactic fable. The story follows a young man whose shoe is broken, consequently giving him a limp. He walks past a poor man shining shoes and initially passes him without stopping. Fazeel plays with perspective here, rewinding the man walking past and showing it instead from the shoe shiner’s point of view.
The shoe shiner then sneakily follows the man. We then realise he too has a limp and is walking with a crutch. The pair are not so different from one another. The man suspects he is being followed and hurries home, leaving the shoes outside and closing the door.
When he comes out the next morning to put them on, they have been fixed. The shoe shiner decided to help anyway, despite the fact the man didn’t initially stop to help him.
The paths of the two characters collide for only a few moments, but the act of humanity and kindness is moving. The music is a highlight of the film, elevating the tension in some areas and the emotion in others.
What is also amazing about the film is the fact that there is barely any dialogue. Emotion and meaning is conveyed almost entirely by facial expression – reflecting the skill of the two actors, Vignesh and Dhanushand.
Watch the film on YouTube now!!