Drama and theatrics 

Jama

– Review

Chethan Kadambi runs a theatre troupe in a village. Pari Elavazhagan, whose late father had started the troupe,  is now a part of the theatre troupe and plays mostly women roles.

He is passionate about theatre and refuses to give it up even when his acting in this jama in women roles, spoils his chances of marriage as people make fun of his effeminate traits.

This causes a lot of tension to his widowed mother who wants to see him settled in life.

Chethan Kadambi’s daughter Ammu Abhirami loves Pari Elavazhagan but he refuses to marry her because his mission is to restore the glory of his father.

One day, Pari Elavazhagan gathers funds to make his own new jama, but he is met with betrayal. His mother dies of heartbreak.

What happens next? Does Pari Elavazhagan ever get what he wants? Does he prove himself as the leader of a jama forms the crux of the story?

The team of Jama, particularly director and hero Pari Kalazhagan deserves kudos for choosing an unusual subject for their film and giving an interesting peek into the lives of theatre troupe artists. The screenplay is gripping right from the word go.

Pari as Kalyanam is most impressive in every frame. Be it dialogues, transformation from masculine to effeminate, or the way he brings out the innocence, determination, yearning and frustration of his character, every bit  is praiseworthy.

Ammu Abhirami has given a fiery and realistic performance in a well written role.

The performances of every character are superb. Actor Chethan Kadambi  seems to have transformed himself into  Tandavam and his histonics are a sheer delight to watch.

After ‘Viduthalai’ this is another meaty role for him and his act is a highlight of the film.

Musical compositions by maestro Ilaiyaraaja takes the audience close to the premise of the movie. The camerawork by Gopal Krishna is superb and is impressive.

Rating: 4.25/5
By Naveen