User reviews

A pretty bonkers movie completely devoid of Tamil cinema love stories that we have seen so far. This film will have mixed reactions as it is so off the wall that I can't tell this will be appreciated unanimously. Ranjith has delivered something world-class, he is back with a tale that has all the usual themes but deals with twisted love and all kinds of love. I am not a huge fan of P. A. Ranjith as a director but have a liking for projects he is on board as a producer. He has supported new concepts in his Neelam Productions despite the shortcomings in the production. I have followed his stint as a producer and appreciate his ability to pick unique stories, even his recent outings have the stamp of an auteur in the making and you can check out my 'Kuthiraivaal' and 'Seththumaan' review.

This experiment or an attempt by PA Ranjith to tell about Compassion, Love, the political tragedy without being too elitist or kitsch. I never expected it to be this good in such a way it does not look vulgar separating itself from the usual films we have seen in Tamil cinema. The theater setting was a good gambit, it evoked polar emotions as we travel with the characters plunging into screen with surreality. I despise filmmakers self loathing by making a very personal film, it is better if they keep it in a safe locker. Well, Ranjith's film is a personal cinema but doesn't over indulge in Kasthapadra Vada Chennai folks with existential crisis and dealing with errors in the system. In 'Natchathiram Nagargiradhu' it is impossible for Ranjith to let go of the politics as the characters discusses Dalit love. But this remains as a revelation of the characters and hard hitting dialogues. The basic human feelings, fears, banal truth about relationships which is often ignored is spoken out loud as Ranjith shares with the audience part of his inner life. I didn't like the comedy sequences involving Madeline, the French lady as it wasn't needed to push the narrative. But the rest of the characters go a long way from the first minutes of the film to the final credits with the completion of the play, sometimes pleasing to the eye. The Wild cat vs the Domesticated Cat reference was so relevant and deep. And the The I see a glimpse of arthouse influence here especially the works of João Pedro Rodrigues, Marcos Prado, Gaspar Noé, Aly Muritiba and Leos Carax.

Regardless, this is a film that is hard to compare with anything else. But, to be honest, I don't want to compare it. I recommend this to everyone as this film is a celebration love, a daring play on emotions.

Verdict: And, of course, one of the best films of the year.!

Politics of Love . Natchathiram Nagargiradhu was beautiful movie . Well written and very well executed . Asusual Pa. Ranjith didn't fail to give equal scope for all characters in the movie , each and every character were well designed . Movie tells about love and it's politics , actually this kinda topic was really intresting and thought provoking , it was deep rooted into the topic . Dialogues were back bone of the movie , it was hard hitting and strong . This time making was bit different from Pa Ranjith , surreal type of making was good ( Dope vro ) . My favorite part was Village portion , actually they didn't try to make us laugh but it was totally hilarious . Music and songs were good from Tenma . Technically cinematography was awesome and good editing . Overall a must watch movie .

All my life I have suffered by the society in various scenarios. Being a child whose mom ran away!! I got to understand the dark side of this society at a very young age. Inequality is everywhere, from the drinking glass to job promotions... this movie helped me to understood on how to handle the anger that I built upon myself!!

Rene's laugh is inspiring a lot!! Thanks Ranjith!!

1. Tenma's music is awesome!! But it would have been better to have a different sound for the shooting star. Whole scoring is a beautifully wrapped with the story 2. I'm from Pondicherry... and this is the first movie which actually shows what the culture in this city that I have experienced!!!

3. I can see kalidas really understood the movie but his acting is not enough to register his character in my mind... like Rene, shabeer and Master, Hari !!

4. A guy who was inside the photo(karu arukapata pen) from the drama rehearsal acted really well!!

5. As per baddy's review, This movie is above all these good bad average terms 6. Movie like this will live in Tamil cinema forever.

Pa. Ranjith's new movie feels a personal statement to "Naataka Kaadhal" but that is not the movie is all about. The story revolving around a drama troupe at Pondicherry, a group full of people with varied opinions (political or otherwise). As they try to prepare for a play on love, the clash of ideals brings out the differences and the eventual impact on the individuals. If one thinks this is all there is, the third act throws in a terrific surprise elevating the movie.

Rene aka Tamizh being the central character, one of the many characters that are written to mirror the society's harsh reality, is the best written one. The character of Arjun is the one with a better arc as he stands for everything wrong in prejudiced upper caste male with no understanding of political correctness. The narrative that is mostly conversational is effectively merged into the on screen play which stands out for the set design and make up along with the performances, firmly aided by those songs.

I am surprised how i didn't feel the runtime at all and that is solely due to the surprise character entry in the third act, as mysterious the character is, it directly felt like an interaction beyond the screen. The rebels vs the self proclaimed protector for the society, a top notch touch towards the end. To point out the shortcomings, though thr story dwells into genderless love as well, the same sex love stories and the trans couple story gets reduced to dialogues.

This movie is preachy🤣 Got message 🤣 People whoever use these lines for the movie are absolutely Masala guys who love item songs blah blah and unscientific stuff in movies

I got connected because I met with those characters in real life I met an ambekarite like Rene (gosh we were best friends then I messed it up and used a loose word around her.. that's the last time she ever talked to me...) Ambedkarite woman are full of character

I Met people like Arjun's family I behaved like Arjun in my real life about women's dressing cleavage blah blah I met iniya type of men.. Even how LGBTQ person Supports his caste (there is this dialogue of 5sec. You don't need an hour to show it. Only one dialogue should be enough)

That's how a movie should be It's about reality and romance How women think

Well all these things not for dumb people They won't get it.

For what's a 4-star film in its political ideology (and progressivism), NN felt very anti-climactic to me, and hence, I'm going with 3.5. The whole stretch with Shabeer Kallarackal (though he's a wonderful actor) was bizarrely staged. I get that it was supposed to be bizarre in the first place, but it failed to evoke the right emotion in me when the rest of the film seamlessly managed that.

Pa Ranjith's NN is more of a statement on love than a love story. It asks relevant questions on modern love, answers some of them (subtly and extravagantly), and leaves the rest for audiences to interpret themselves and make room for improvement and inclusion. Dushara Vijayan's performance (as René) is splendid, never holding herself back from expressing exactly how she feels about everything - be it love, music, food, or societal discrimination. Boldly written and performed, René is certainly among my favorite Pa Ranjith protagonists. Kalaiyarasan comes next in line for portraying a biased, pre-conditioned person who turns over a new leaf eventually. His transformation is the one that feels complete.

Kalidas Jayaram and the rest of the ensemble are okayish, relegated to characters that are less memorable. Some LGBTQ representation is added as well, but they serve little in forwarding the film's plot, as the theme of the play the theater group eventually settles on, has little to do with queer love. But it's wonderful to see them in the film nonetheless, especially in those discussions about love (and its politics) early on. Tenma's music is also an essential ingredient that kept me interested all through. The best stretch in the film was the subversion of endogamy in a scene where Kalaiyarasan's character goes home to visit his dying granny.

RATED 9/10 Language: Tamil Source: Nil RECOMMENDED

From the beginning to end the movie is not deviated from the core subject. No extra scenes, sentiments and comedies. These are are very much positive points to the movie at the same time sidelines the movie into artistic one rather than entertaining one.

This is pure Art-Cult-Brave movie and must watch for every cinema lovers. The first half looks filled with more conversations and bit over done, might be I got this feeling because of all scenes shot in single location. The second half is bit breezy. The Movie is point blank at the same time it was funny in places.

The biggest strength of this movie is the dialogs. There is some hidden gem shots like "door with light rays on Buddha painting and the person sitting near the wild cat in climax" The climax fight is bit hurried wind-up but I liked this one. The "beach meet" after climax fight is cherry on top scene.

Must watch for everyone, especially who want to self analyse the love life...

Pa. Ranjith's films are always a matter of some political dimensions to discuss. Every film either he directed or produced deals with issues related to Dalit politics and casteism. NN is also about that political spectrum. The subject is something we had already discussed and talked but the execution of the film stands different. The initial scene of the movie projects the entire concept, ie, Love and Caste. The film is built in a new-gen format which means there comes a lot of characters which is alien to the so-called normal society. We can see queer people, a transwoman, and a lesbian couple in the movie which is something a progressive thought. I feel like the theatre group simply symbolizes the future world that everyone intends to come. The theatre group is all set to execute a new play and the master of the group selects love as the subject for the play. Love that connects with the current social scenario. The movie also talks about the issue of honor killing which is so prevalent in society. While the master put forward this subject to everybody in the group all come up with their own views about the subject. That comments from them resemble the attitude of people toward this issue. We can see many types of dimensions that flavored a strong backup to the movie. The film is something a good attempt but not to be considered a brilliant one from Pa. Ranjith.

Ranjith focuses more on Cast which happened a long time back. Now the time has changed and people are not the same anymore. I agree it's still present in some parts of villages but it's not as extreme as shown in the movies. It talks more about love and the killings, this is where I feel contradictions, what's shown is only a few incidents and the reality is opposite. I have seen a lot more incidents where girl life is spoiled in the name of love. I have never seen cast in my school or college but these kinds of movies induce the cast issues. Coming to the movie - It took me 3-4 days to complete the movie, that boring it is. I was wondering how people watched it in the theater. I felt irritated after watching this movie.

Positive:

1. Discussion about the untalked area in cinema media.r 2.rene nd arjun character is writing well.. 3. I like coloring of the movie... 4. Songs and background score works well... 5. Bold attempt 6. Cinematography works well... 7. The movie is definitely create a good impact in future generation.

Negative: 1. Slow making.

2. Climax scene is not connected.

3. Iniyan character is not established well.. 4. Other characters expect arjun, Rene, iniyan is not writing well.. the directors previous movie " sarpetta paramparai" is not like that. Each and every character in that movie is written well and established.

Treats the audience as regressive casteist idiots and preaches and patronises them for 3 hours.

In the name of supporting LGBTQ he has added them just like how corporates pander to them during pride month. They serve no purpose to the plot and their characters have zero depth. There is a difference between a gay character and a character who is gay.

This is absolutely one of the worst films I have ever watched. I got a physical headache after watching this. "Show, Don't tell" is the golden rule of film making but this "film" following a "Tell, Don't Show" approach. This is really the worst film of Ranjith and one of the worst films of all time.

When I got to know that it's a movie from kabali director I expected a star studded mass movie like kabali , but I was wrong about that. It's difficult to direct a movie like this , which doesn't have the glamour and pomp the Indian audience expect. In a way the movie is like the 'before trilogy' where the conversations between people is the soul of the movie. It's intriguing. People condemning western countries because of their racism are the same ones who don't even think once before they throw their casteist slurs. The same people who feel superior in India because of their caste , doesn't want to face racism in western countries. We as a society should watch more such movies as this and try to change ourselves.

I managed to swallow my expectations before watching the film, setting myself to judge it on its own without judging it as a Ranjith's film. No need, no need! This film is a 100% Ranjith's film without any doubt & he made it with 0% compromise.

This is one of the most disturbingly honest portraits of human behaviour and motivations ever made in kollywood. Dushara as Rene - This is how a modern feminine classic should look like. What begins as a narrow and focused drama, gradually escalates to a film with big themes and ideas, relevant social and commentary. "Natchathiram Nagargirathu" is packed with questions and a few answers about politics & emotions behind love. The story shows people in a realistic light I've never quite seen before. We're presented with characters and their genuine emotions. Nothing feels sugarcoated of fluffed but it never lacks emotional impact either.

Almost every moment of this film was flawless, perfect and pristine. Ranjith at his finest.

Hats off to the director. An engaging way of story telling. Attacking the problems of the society and the challenges of the next gen youngsters . I am spell bound. The music is fantastic. Another movie I have scene that had a similar impact on me cloud atlas.

Hats off to the director. An engaging way of story telling. Attacking the problems of the society and the challenges of the next gen youngsters . I am spell bound. The music is fantastic. Another movie I have scene that had a similar impact on me was cloud atlas.

Another movie I have scene that had a similar impact on me was cloud atlas.

Not sure why do they spend money and effort on such an idiotic movie. LGBT, no caste etc.. come on Ranjith, should have chosen a different story to convey that. Pls come out of Madras movie Casts. It's one of the reasons to hate this movie... In the name of modern age cinema, director is spoiling the younger generation and this movie at the best on doing that. Please create awareness among the people with different genres. Not with this melodrama.

Only good portion of the movie is Kalaiarasan's family scenes. Music and art director did their job very well. Rest are crap and cannot do judgment to the movie.

An amazingly directed movie which is so offbeat. Deals with an important aspect of our society - A basic emotion for human being that is so politicized in our country. The director handles this with such elan that it does not feel burdening but still evokes so much for the viewer of you can vibe with this film. The cast has done such a beautiful job supporting this. An masterpiece from Ranjith and quite different from his earlier outings. This story needs to be told to this and coming generations. Only then in distant future can we expect a change in such a charged up society. I hope this movie wins awards at forums for broad viewership.

I really don't know what is there in this movie. Why would someone want to watch it. It's marketed as one celebrating love. Sarapata was a good film. This is awful to say the least.

Beyond the lack of anything interesting, we have all the pretentious crap. High caste, low caste. We are sick of all this. If u don't want caste, just leave it aside. Instead, u want to talk of oppression, caste by creating all kinds of artificial situation. We have seen enough of this. Tamil movies reek of this, its starting to stink.

Pa Ranjith can't stop talking about eating beef. He won't talk of eating pork. Buddhist symbols - he what happened to Sri Lankan Tamils. They were oppressed by Buddhists primarily. Same fate for Tamils in Burma. Just half baked fools preaching without knowing things in detail and misleading innocent youth.

A movie has to have something interesting to watch. He managed to make a movie with nothing interesting. It's a great achievement. I waited till the end to see if there was something worthwhile. Same old nonsense. What a waste of time.

All actors are capable of good acting. Cinematography is good. Music is OK. Previously, that strong music of Santhosh Narayan used to be there. But this is equally disappointing. Good for SN he didn't work in this movie.

After a great hit of sarpatta, this was a pure disaster for ranjith, his style of film making is that, he speaks politics in every genre which is not ok for a romance one, the story is weak and he didnt even convey what he wanted to say to people, according he just talked abt LGT and general love but clear with the script and the political thing didnt work at all! If you r still taking films like this doesnt change any just taking in cast and portraying everything is not right at all, talking casts will increase more rather decreasing!! Politics apart , coming back the movie has a weak story and screenplay is so poor, the most annoying one was the female lead, i dont know why he designed such a character, it ranjiths female lead , all the other characters did good , overall a pretty average film, available in netflix.

There has been enough movies to educate the masses on menial treatment met by people of certain groups. Movies like Pariyerum Perumal, Karnan & Asuran dealt with the same theme in various perspective and gave balanced view for all showing path of upliftment. Dhanush's climax dialogue & Principal's advice in Pariyerum Perumal were the best pic.

However Natchathiram Nagargiradhu cries old rusty goose with deprival of opportunities & oppression by certain people in sphere of theatre arts and aspirational actors. Rene's picky dialogues in pre-title credits scene shows how low the movie can stoop. A decade ago, there was a trend of rural subjects in Tamil cinemas starting from Subramaniapuram having grand run till it was overtaken by pro-Farmers agenda, anti GST dialogues,.. now with themed movies like these, young talents like Ranjith are shooting their own knees.

There are two types of movies - one where things seem normal until the caste angle comes into the picture (eg., Kaadhal, Vazhakku en) and the 2nd is Pa Ranjith, Maari Selvaraj movies where everything revolves around characters oppressed by caste. The problem with the 2nd type of movies - the makers care more about the ideology rather than the drama (or) the screenplay making it a preachy documentary rather than a entertaining movie.

Thats the main reason this movie is not for everyone. However if you are an ideological person and one who criticizes society, this movie and it's world is for you.

Watched this one yesterday in Netflix. Extremely irritating. I don't know where to start. That "Rene" character is.... Antha ponna paatha apdiyae "bramippa irukaam"- iniyan sollraan, Arjun Sollraan!... Apadi athu enna thaan pannichu? I don't understand. So showing off that you have read bunch of books, looking up to the sky all the time and exclaiming (just because the title says Natchathiram..) and laughing out loud.... Ithu pannittaa podhumaa??? Namma ooru pasanga bramichiduvaangalaa?

"Love is the core theme of this movie"-A powerful emotion. It is beyond gender, caste and religion. But is it been conveyed in a right sense here?

If you are a girl like "Rene". Go do something useful with life. Get a degree, master truly in something, instead of finding fault in everything and everyone you come across.

At last Ms. Dhusara, learn how to deliver the dialogues properly! Mr. Kalaiarasan and Kaalidaas, select your roles wisely. You both are truly gifted. On a positive note, the actress who acted as Arjun's mother was outstanding and the entire village sequence was really good.

I had mixed emotions.

Giving two star for the screen play, cinematography and execution

Except Rene all other characters are acting. They don't jell into to their characters because their self conscious knows it is not correct.

Overdose of casteism ("Avalvukku meerinaal amirthamum nanju") when Iniyan standing at Tea estate and inhaling the beauty, Rene stops him and talks about the book she read regarding the Tea workers, from their itself my interest on viewing further is reduced.

Trying to inject western ideology of Love into the people who divided their life into Agam and Puram for centuries.

Kudo's to Pa. Ranjith talking about the caste based murders, which we forget in time, but could have expressed that in some other way.

Upraise a society by educating them, not by barking at others.