Reveries V

Mandaarame - Ohm Shanthi Oshaana

Sometimes you come home to find that someone has gone and ruined every single thing for you. And then they've run away, and won't take responsibility, and take to hiding behind little girls. What do you do? How do you recoup losses, or replace damaged property?

This song doesn't provide any answers in that department, if that's what you're wondering. It's just an adorable, upbeat song that shouldn't hurt to listen to, but does. The movie itself, Om Shanthi Oshana, is unique for me in that I've probably watched it like 20 times since 2015. When do I ever watch a movie (that isn't Marvel related) more than once, let alone a Malayalam movie? Since Nazriya Nazim, is when.

Okay, that's not entirely true - Nivin Pauly is the big draw for me here. (On an unrelated note, does Tovino Thomas look Spanish or something? Asking for a friend.) But what is most important about this film is that it showcases a crush from the girl's point of view. Pooja Mathew daydreams and dances her way through her entirely one sided romance, even as Nivin Pauly's Giri attempts to maintain some distance between them. He is older than her, and feels that she's destined for great things (like becoming a doctor like her dad) and discourages her crush lest she not achieve those goals. [The fact that (SPOILER) he used to date her cousin might also have been a factor, just saying.]

Note to self: do not let current crush read this post/ watch this movie bc that is a lot of embarrassing foreshadowing going on right there tbh.

Okay, have I mentioned his beard and his Enfield and his biceps and how he's just happy with who he is it is all most glorious okay I'll stop now.

Anyway.

It is most unusual for South Indian films to show a story so purely from the female perspective, bringing in all those little details that make it terrifyingly accurate. Pooja is many of us uncensored, which makes it slightly uncomfortable, but also delightful to watch.

Her relationship with her father is another thing about this movie that is admirable. South India in general (not just the movies) is well known for irritating dads who seem to think patriarchal values are more important than the female human beings they helped create. The good doctor, on the other hand, has absolutely no issues with what his daughter wears, what decisions she takes, and ultimately, whom she chooses to marry. In one particularly memorable scene, he subtly castigates a patient of his who was ogling Pooja because she was wearing denim three-fourths. Nothing is said to Pooja whatsoever.

I forced my dad to watch this movie twice just for that scene, pointing at it and going, "See? That's what you're supposed to be doing."

This movie for me is a great exercise in the female gaze, with an extremely relateable story and so. much. hilarity (thank you, Aju Varghese). Not to mention, a total must-watch.

Kattu Mooliyo - Om Shanthi Oshaana

In my line of work, you gotta know when to walk away.

But some cases just won't let you go.

- Jessica Jones, Jessica Jones