Jyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal; A forceful courtroom thriller with intense climax
Debutant Director JJ Fredrick has put in his soul to ensure that Jyotika’s Ponmagal Vandhal, not only delivers a social message but also make sure Jyotika does it right with great acting force.
Ponmagal Vandhal Review
The movie produced by Suriya is a courtroom drama, it is intense, and it takes you through to almost 3-hour drama. You might find it like a confinement in the courtroom, yet you are wanting to wanting to wait and watch the climax. And it doesn’t disappoint Jyotika’s fans and movie prime video bingers.
The movie is all about women empowerment. Stories that has been inspired by Nirbhaya about rape and justice. It is a thought-provoking film that puts the spotlight on the issue of child abuse/rape and reflects the flaws in our judicial system when it comes to the apathy with which it treats rape cases and victims.
Set in the back drop of the beautiful Ooty region, which has a dark history. The story revolves around on ‘Petition’ Pethuraj who revives a case from 2004 that involved a serial killer ‘Psycho Jyothi’ who was condemned for the kidnapping and murder of five children and two youngsters. Pethuraj’s daughter Venba (played by Jyotika), a young lawyer, decides to contest Jyothi’s case so that reality could be exposed. In the course, some appalling riddles get uncovered and Venba is tested in the courtroom, who goes out of her way to gibe out new evidence about the case that proves Jyothi wasn’t a serial killer.
The movie is not about the protagonist Jyotika but it is the system and the way system deals with social issues like child rape.
Ponmagal Vandhal tries hard to be a compelling drama. What backs the effort in the story is the tragedy in the story. One would expect the serial killer to be more ruthless and one would like to hate, but it did slip away in this matter as it is note very convincing. What helps the movie to hold on to audience liking is a strong emotional chord with its throwback story.
Jyotika, playing a lawyer for the first time in her career, comes out brilliantly showcasing her acting prowess, also the movie does ask some pertinent bold questions about the world we live and what “justice’ really stand for.
Parthiban though given very little screen space plays the role with intensity and brings great energy in his contest with Jyotika.
What really matters in a movie is the climax and the director did very well in making the audience wait for it and savour the end.
It is a good film with a social message, though you might find the story about rape cases are exploited too much, but the actors Jyotika and Parthiban does well to please the audience.
Ponmgal Vandaal is streaming in Prime Video. Watch it you want to watch Jyotika in her first attempt as a lawyer fighting for a social cause with whatever she has in her armory.
The good thing is Jyotika’s husband supporting his wife and sharing a video of both of them watching the movie on TV
Director: JJ Fredrick
Cast: Jyotika, Bhagyaraj, Prathap Pothen and Parthiban
Watch the trailer of Ponmagal Vandhal
Starting May 29, Prime Video brings a great line up of Indian Movies and all of them have big star cast. The premiere includes films from across languages. To begin Prime Video will premier Gujarati family drama, Golkeri, shortly after its theatrical release.
On May 30, you can view the Nicolas Pesce directorial, The Grudge, in English, Hindi, Tamil, and Telugu. For the music buffs you will get to watch, Bruce Springsteen documentary-concert Western Stars.
Other movies that will stream on the OTT Platform include sci-fi thriller The Vast of Night, mystery movie Scooby Doo! Return To The Zombie Island and other favourites like Wonder Woman: Bloodlines, Men in Black (I, II, & III) and Spiderman starting May 30.
From the Bollywood we have Gulabo Sitabo which is one of the most anticipated Amitabh Bachchan and Ayushmann Khuranna movie directed by Shoojit Sarkar.