Netflix's original Tamil anthology Super Deluxe opened the doors to acceptance and love while sharing compelling stories about strong female characters.
What makes a movie perfectly heart-touching? Maybe the script or the character but what truly captured the essence of the whole storyline is a moment. A tiny moment that speaks volumes for itself in a movie that talks about issues that matter. Super Deluxe has just that and this moment ties a ribbon to an eccentric movie.
About the movie:
Director – Thiagarajan Kumararaja Cast – Vijay Sethupathi, Fahadh Faasil, Samantha Akkineni, Ramya Krishnan, Mysskin Raja, Gayathrie Shankar Screenplay – Thiagarajan Kumararaja, Mysskin, Nalan Kumarasamy, Neelan K. Sekar Where to watch – Netflix
Ketchup Cut:
Super Deluxe will go in history as one of the anthologies that made Indian cinema lovers fans of multi-lingual stories. The Netflix movie had people crying, smiling, laughing, and most importantly thinking of things that we have been ignorant about. The moment or scene in the discussion today is the climax of Shilpa's story from this anthology.
Shilpa, born a man married to a woman pertaining to society's pressure and had a child Rasukutty. But not being able to take this pressure anymore Shilpa decided to run away from her house. She made the decision to become what she always was - a woman. After spending quite some time away from her family she finally returns. Although she went to have a life of her choice she left her wife and son without any explanation. And when she decided to come back home she had a very excited son waiting for her.
For a son who has been waiting for his father all his little life, he opened the door to find a different person. The same father but in a different form. He never had the chance to say goodbye to his father but found himself opening the door to a new saree-clad woman who just wanted to be accepted by her family.
The thing that makes the climax of his beautiful story so special is the fact that a child taught us what the world should be about. Love and acceptance. Rasukutty is what purity and innocence look like. For him, Shilpa was no stranger. When he saw her all he saw was the father whole left them and came back to his life. All he wanted was to show his friends that he had a father too and that he was nit a ‘test-tube baby’. He never cared if his father wanted to wear a saree or put on pants. And may be that is why is wondered why people behaved and looked at Shilpa a certain way. In the climax scene when he opens the door again, he is not just re-created the moment he always wanted to but indirectly said a lot more. Him opening the door is symbolic enough to show that he always embraced Shilpa no matter what gender box she ticks in. It was a wake-up call for us, as audience to open our minds and to think beyond gender, to be more human. He opened the door and kicked off any presets that society that wanted him to see Shilpa like anything but the father he longed for. He chose love!
When his friend jokes and asks, “Yennada unka Appa pudava katirikarye?” (Why is your father wearing a saree?) he casually replies, “Adanda avarude styleille. Yennda avare pattu sirikire? Aan unge Appave pattu sirichirikena?” (That is his style. Why are you laughing at my father? Have I ever laughed at yours?) just suggest how full of love the child is. For him, it is a moment to show his friends that his father is very much alive, even though she is not a he anymore. The other instance where we left with hearts melting is when he asks Shilpa if he should I call her his dad or mother to which a puzzled Shilpa says, "Oh no, I've never given it a thought till date." The beauty of the whole story lies in him being a child and being ‘woke’ before the world corrupts his mind.
About the movie:
Discussing the female characters in his movie director Thiagarajan said to The Indian Express, "I like strong women. Strong women characters have always existed in the movies of directors such as K Balachander and Mani Ratnam. Of course, in mainstream cinema, the narrative revolves around the ‘hero’, while the female lead is there for a song, dance and two more scenes. The industry understands the language of money. If women-centric movies make money, more people would make them."
Fun Facts:
Actress Nadhiya Moidu was the first choice for Ramya Krishnan's role in the story Leela by filmmaker Thiagarajan Kumararaja
In the background score of the scenes from the film with Vayembu and Mukhil, we can hear the Star Wars film series theme in the background.
Ananda Vikatan Cinema Awards: Won Best Screenplay, Best Supporting Actress (Ramya Krishnan), Best Cinematography (P. S. Vinod and Nirav Shah) and Best Music Director (Yuvan Shankar Raja)
Zee Cine Awards: Won Best Supporting Actor – Female (Krishnan), Best Child Artist (Ashwanth Ashokkumar), Best Editor (Sathyaraj Natarajan) and Best Art Director (Vijay Adhinathan), Jury Special award for Best Actor – Female (Samantha Akkineni)
Critics Choice Film Awards: Won Best Movie of the Year, Best Film, Best Director, Best Actor, Best Writing
Indian Film Festival of Melbourne: Won Best Actor (Vijay Sethupathi) and Equality in Cinema (Honorary Award)
9th AACTA Awards: Nominated for Best Asian Film
67th National Film Awards: Won Best Supporting Actor for Vijay Sethupathi
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