Kottukkaali Movie Review: A slowly unraveling tale that brings hidden truths to light
By Pavethran Batmanathen
“Kottukkaali” is a slow-paced road movie set in rural Tamil Nadu, taking its time to explore the lives of its characters in a subtle manner. The plot centres around Meena (Anna Ben) and Pandi (Soori), an engaged couple facing trouble due to what Meena’s family believes is her “possession” – though it might just be her quiet defiance.
The story begins with her family taking her to a local deity, followed by a visit to an exorcist in hopes of resolving her issues. This journey is the heart of the film, featuring scenes with men on bikes, women cramped in an auto-rickshaw, and even a chicken in tow.
Director PS Vinothraj takes his time unfolding the story, with the camera lingering on everyday activities, which may challenge the viewer’s patience. The film often involves simply watching villagers go about their daily lives, intending to be reflective but occasionally verging on tedious.
The movie excels in its quiet exploration of caste dynamics and tradition. One scene stands out, where men physically turn an auto-rickshaw with Meena inside, a striking visual symbol of her quiet defiance against societal norms. Similarly, during a puberty ceremony on their return journey, a song blaring from a loudspeaker prompts Meena to hum along quietly, setting Pandi off in what feels like a bipolar episode. His erratic behaviour culminates in a confrontation with the exorcist towards the end.
Anna Ben delivers a largely silent yet impactful portrayal of Meena. Though her face remains mostly expressionless, she communicates a lot with minimal dialogue, speaking only once at the end, a line loaded with meaning. Soori’s Pandi is more volatile, his frustration simmering until it erupts in violence when Meena hums a love song. He cuts a striking figure – one might even wonder why Meena wouldn’t be drawn to him, if not for the film’s context.
Vinothraj also pulls natural performances from the rest of the cast, using sync-sound effectively, with no dubbing – what they say is what you hear. The film also forgoes a musical score.
The rooster, briefly breaking free from being tied to a stone, serves as a powerful symbol of Meena’s constrained life. Its journey throughout the film intriguingly parallels her own.
“Kottukkaali” isn’t filled with action or driven by plot. It invites the viewer to sit back and observe, picking up on the subtleties of village life and the underlying tensions. Though this approach creates some powerful scenes, it also leads to moments that feel a bit dull. Nonetheless, actor and producer Sivakarthikeyan deserves credit for supporting such meaningful, art-house cinema.
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