Having a crush is such a paradoxical feeling. It brings excitement and joy from attraction and anticipation. Contrastingly, it also causes sadness and frustration when the feelings are unreciprocated. The titular character in the movie ‘Thiruchitrambalam’, battles with many things, including the same feeling of having a crush.

The movie itself might feel paradoxical to the audience. Suppressed emotions and grief are the themes it revolves around, but how this theme is portrayed brings laughter and tears to the audience. Kudos to the team for maintaining such a delicate balance.

The narrative revolves around Pazham, short for Thiruchitrambalam, played by Dhanush. He’s a delivery guy in a food company, navigating life in a middle-class household. What makes Pazham relatable is his ordinariness—his struggles with unspoken grief, his strained relationship with his stern father, his heartwarming bond with his grandfather (played by the legendary Bharathiraja) and his twisted love life.

Written and directed by Mithran R Jawahar, his storytelling is refreshingly simple yet profound. He doesn’t rely on grandiose twists or melodrama. Instead, he incorporates the quiet, meaningful moments that showcase life’s imperfections and beauty. The film beautifully captures the rhythm of everyday life, whether it’s Pazham’s awkward attempts at romance, his candid friendship with Shobana (Nithya Menen), or the simmering tension between father and son.

Having witnessed his mother and sibling die in a car accident leaves Pazham traumatised. In the absence of his mother and sibling, Pazham becomes empty, and his home loses its charm, too.

Pazham’s home is depicted as a modest, middle-class household. Audiences can see cluttered stuff present in the room. It implicitly represents the emotional mess present among the members.

Shobana is Pazham’s best friend since childhood. She always sticks with him in his ups and downs in life. They are so comfortable with each other, which is evident in the movie. However, Shobhana always suppressed her romantic feelings towards him. This has added an extra layer of humaneness to the movie. No matter how close we are to someone, expressing a crime committed might feel easy, but expressing non-platonic feelings towards them is like squaring the circle.

Pazham, meanwhile, had a crush on his classmate Anusha, portrayed by Raashii Khanna. Anusha’s lifestyle, perspective on life, and views on love and dating are distinctly 'modern', creating a sharp contrast with Pazham's personality. Although Anusha doesn’t share romantic feelings for him, she flirts with him, invites him for a coffee date, and even kisses him on the cheek. This makes Pazham believe she feels the same way about him. However, when he confesses his love, Anusha rejects him, leaving him heartbroken.

It seems the movie attempts to villainise the modern choices of city dwellers, portraying actions like flirting and kissing as ordinary gestures as morally questionable.

When Pazham is sad due to heartbreak, Shobana provides ointment to his wounded heart. Her portrayal of a confident, supportive, and grounded best friend is as comforting as a warm hug. She is the heart of the film, a character that represents the kind of friend we all need in our lives. Not only that, you can't stop falling in love with her. She is full of life and has a vibrant and bubbly presence that will make you smile.

In the end, Pazham and Shobana end up getting married. What a win for Shobhana! She got to marry her childhood best friend and crush. However, delving into the evolution of their bond over the years might have made the eventual romantic progression feel more organic.

Additionally, the father-son dynamic, a cornerstone of the story, is handled with immense sensitivity. Even though they both love and care for each other, they cannot express it explicitly. The unsaid words, the bottled-up emotions, and the eventual reconciliation are deeply moving. The portrayal of this dynamic also mirrors the reality of South Asian houses, making the movie more relatable.

Seeing Pazham battle heartbreak and grief is not an easy watch. However, the movie also makes the audience loosen up, grin and laugh out loud with the heartwarming and sweet bond Pazham shares with his grandfather. Pazham and his grandfather drink beer together. More than grandson and grandfather, they are like friends.

Anirudh Ravichander’s music is another exemplary aspect of the film. While the song is playing, the movie's storyline is not halted. Rather, the songs are a medium that moves the story forward.

Visually, ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ is a treat. The cinematography captures the essence of a small-town Tamil Nadu with warm, earthy tones. It makes you want to leave your daily routine and be there in its serene environment.

Lastly, what stands out most about ‘Thiruchitrambalam’ is its ability to make you laugh, cry, and reflect—sometimes all at once. It reminds you of the importance of nurturing relationships and the healing power of friendship. It’s a story about finding joy in the mundane, love that blossoms unexpectedly, and reconciling with the past to move forward.

Thiruchitrambalam

Director: Mithran R Jawahar

Cast: Dhanush, Nithya Menen, Bharathiraja, Prakash Raj

Language: Tamil

Duration: 133 minutes

Year: 2022