Vatsalyam (1993) :
Brief Review -
A Pure Tearjerker. Emotional Family Dramas don't get better than this, THEY JUST DON'T! They just get converted into Melodramatic Daily-soaps. I won't say that Vatsalyam has some great script or something you haven't seen before, no, it's just same old stuff we have been watching since forever in Family Dramas. But there is a way of storytelling, keeping it pure, emotional, positive and dignified throughout and that's where many Family Dramas turn into high end MELODRAMA. Till 60s it was okay but thereafter it became typical and boring. Vatsalyam is same stuff served again in new plate with different recipe. Raghavan, a farmer, devotes his life to ensure that his brother Vijayakumaran gets educated. But with time and under the influence of his rich wife, Vijayakumaran ends up destroying all relationships. For Hollywood, this genre means something else than Indian cinema because the sentiments are varied by culture. Their Family dramas used society standards, war effects and sometimes even racism but for Indian Cinema the best formula has always been making the protagonist look Generous, Kind Hearted so that we can generate feelings him. Vatsalyam is very good in that. It keeps the main character very generous and kind and even his wife looks damn supportive. Unlike other films which had that typical death scene or happy reconciliation or return to home in the climax, Vatsalyam finds something new for its time. One can even guess a lot from its title only. Mammootty as Raghavan is terrific. Not just his acting but the writing of his character is also damn too good. Geetha plays his wife whom you just can't hate, not even for a moment. Rest of the cast is fine too. Thanks to Cochin Haneefa for using the same cliches in modern ways and making me cry for almost 5-6 times through the film. Overall, a Mainstream Classic.
RATING - 8/10*
By - #samthebestest.
