Evils in society are prevalent, which can draw a person to rage. At such times, consumed by guilt, remorse, and fear, individuals can then turn to darkness. This is quite dangerous, but as per this film, it may be necessary to bring about a change in perspective and save humanity. Do we really need people to go there to bring about an understanding of basic human decency? Sinam, a Tamil film directed by GNR. Kumaravelan, is a timely drama that touches on all the emotions. Through R. Saravanan’s story, the audience is compelled to feel for the protagonist as he is consumed by the titular emotion. Why? They touch upon that aspect as well.
This film begins on a stormy night in an apartment where there is no current. We meet Madhu, the wife of our protagonist Paari, who is with their young daughter at home. She loves to narrate stories that she makes up on the fly by observing her surroundings. The film then introduces S.I. Paari, a no-nonsense by-the-book policeman who has honor oozing through every semblance of his being. From arresting people for taking bribes to dealing with superiors who cross the line, his moral code extends to all aspects of his happy life. However, it all comes crashing down when Madhu is found dead, which sees Paari embark on a path of rage-fueled revenge.
When viewed from the lens of someone from the north, the expectation would be to see exaggerated action in a south film. If audiences tune into Sinam with such an idea, they will not be disappointed as tables shatter when bodies fly through the air and land upon them. Violence and gore are extremely prevalent with a rather bloodthirsty climax to help this film live up to its title and its protagonist’s expression. This isn’t overdone as the director takes care to ensure his film doesn’t have the action overshadowing the drama. It’s good, as an overload of violence may have driven squeamish audiences to label Paari as excessively bloodthirsty.
Arun Vijay, as Paari, is at the center of this 114-minute-long film. We get to see his good side as his face radiates positivity and openness. Why? The movie provides clues to that to show viewers what made him become who he is. Following the murder, Arun undergoes a transformation. From a broken wreck, he becomes a vengeful and indestructible animal. To have such expressional transformations may be the job of the actor, but to make it believable, the technical elements of the film must come together.
Saravanan’s script, Shabir’s music, and S.Gopinath’s cinematography give certain characters some lines, lend to the somberness or intensity of that moment, and frame it just well, respectively, to help capture the emotions to perfection. We see this when Paari visits the police station after his wife’s murder, and when his father-in-law sits by the side of the body. Throwing in their daughter’s innocent requests for food to her mother at one particular moment only enhanced the pathos of that particular scene. All of this enables the viewers to experience catharsis as Paari moves closer.
Apart from Arun, Palak Lalwani as Madhu is quite an interesting character. The scene showing her actions as a young medical student is quite hilarious. There may be a few concerns about Kumaravelan devoting almost 30 minutes of his film to the past, but it has its purpose. This choice allows the viewers to form a bond with the characters and enhances the climax. I’ll say the same for the elongated detection sequences. The moves happened quite quickly, but it wasn’t a one-day find. Hence, it is commendable that Kumaravelan retained the detection aspect to some extent as it enabled the audience to witness and experience Paari’s pain.
Following the brutal climax, we may think that Siman champions violence. It does have thinly veiled leanings towards this, but the social message comes to the fore in an inner monologue. This works as it serves as a summary of what should happen, elements of which we have seen in this movie.
Sinam, a compact film, is brutal, violent, and shocking. A few scenes will be hard to watch. Upon witnessing one scene, one may see that their eyes resemble those of Paari’s.
