In order to join a theater group and receive training, aspiring film actor Arjun (Kaliyarasan) travels to Puducherry. There, he encounters a variety of people, including the independent Rene (Dushara), her estranged ex-boyfriend Inian (Kalidas Jayaram), a gay couple, a lesbian couple, a transgender person in love with a straight guy, and a middle-aged man yearning for the love of a French girl half his age.
A play on love and the politics surrounding it will be staged by a theater director who is also in an interfaith union. ‘Natchathiram Nagargirathu’ deals with a number of oppressions, including that of speech freedom, while focusing on how the play’s rehearsals influence and change the major characters.
All of Rene’s complications are reflected in Dushara Vijayan. It’s annoying, but the whole purpose of the movie, that she keeps laughing aloud. In contrast to the fair-skinned heroines that Kollywood frequently chooses to play the role of the perfect woman, she is nonetheless a delight to see on television.
As the imperfect young guy gets his comeuppance, Kalaiyarasan, one of the most outstanding character actors of the current age, is once again fantastic. He is responsible for three of the best scenes in the movie, including the drunken brawl before the break, the time he proposes to Dushara, and the scene with his mother. He represents all moralistic and populist viewpoints in the mainstream.
Another intriguing look at masculinity may be found in Rene’s former partner, Iniyan, by Kalidas Jayaram. With his own uncertainties about love and his sweetheart, he readily makes a good impression as a typical guy.
It’s a fantastic attempt to use love to explain why politics is personal, and overall the movie is successful in persuading us of its message. With his prior star and superstar projects bearing his own imprint, Pa. Ranjith has made it very evident that politics and him go hand in hand. Characters from the LGBTQIA community abound in Natchathiram Nagargiradhu.
The movie has no drama or filler, which is surprising for a plot that is centered on actors. It is a festival of optimism, life, and love. By omitting time leap details and only showing us raw moments, Pa Ranjith alters the way he makes movies. He no longer specifies where or when a scene is taking place. In addition to tackling caste, class, gender, sexuality, and honor killing, he never tells the tale of the movie via traditional ways. He tinkers with all the technical elements, including Tenma’s dazzling background score and songs that are perfectly suited to the movie’s tone.
Overall, “Natchathiram Nagargiradhu” is one of the few Tamil films to make an effort at a progressive representation, defying stereotypes on love, sexuality, and gender bias. Tamil cinema rarely features experimental movies. By a considerable measure, this is one of the best experimental films.