The film brings together the lives of Bharath, Abhirami, Anjali Nair, and Thalaivasal Vijay’s character, who all find themselves ensnared in conflicts.
A gun that lands in their hands by chance becomes the catalyst for their choices.
Bharat is forced to take up a hit job to save his dying wife. Abhirami must protect her trans daughter from a predatory loan shark. Anjali Nair, newly married, begins suspecting that her husband is having an affair.
Thalaivasal Vijay plays a man consumed by caste pride, vehemently opposing his daughter’s intercaste love marriage.
How these four stories collide, all tied together by a single gun, forms the crux of ‘Once Upon a Time in Madras’.
Directed by Prasadh Murugan, the movie incorporates true crime elements and features queer and transgender representation.
The screenplay jumps back and forth between the four storylines making it difficult to keep track of the proceedings at times.
Bharath is compelling as a desperate husband willing to go to any lengths to save his ailing wife.
Abhirami is subtle as a sanitation worker who is still learning to come to terms with being the mother of a transwoman while supporting her by all means.
Anjali Nair stands out as the quintessential housewife who gradually finds her footing in a patriarchal household.
Rest of the cast have all delivered what was expected from them and have given a neat performance. Camerawork by K.S.Kalidass is impressive and is ably supported by Pream.
