Ritham (Telugu)

A Family Movie

Unlike the western countries, in Indian society the concept of remarriage after the death of the spouse is considered to be a taboo even today. "Oh Papa Lali" was a film, tackling the above said sensitive issue, which was director Vasanth's debut film. Ten years later, he again came forward with the same issue but in a different format with the film "Rythm".

Presented by Mr. N. V. Prasad, this film allures the women audiences extensively. Arjun, Meena and Jyothika play the main roles and the music is rendered by Mr. A. R. Rehman. Rythm however distances itself from the mass audiences, as the subject and the treatment given to narrate, are quite class in nature.

This film deals with the displacement problems and with the sentiments of those who flock to big cities from their regional counterparts. Especially, the sequences that portray the lovely relationship between the spouses (Arjun, Jyothika) and the way Meena's Character is charmed by Ramesh Aravind, for his social consciousness in adopting an orphan as son, even before marriage.

Two pairs are separated from their spouses due to a deadly rail accident and the left over singles happen to meet in the big city of Bombay. The commonality of their past brings them together. Arjun and Meena happen to bump into each other as co-passengers in Mumbai local trains and Meena's adopted son likes his uncle Arjun very much. When Arjun's parents plan for a remarriage between these two single souls, Meena refuses. But her kid's love and the insecurity of a single woman make her rethink of a remarriage. Just then her mother-in-law comes to take her away from Arjun.

Arjun goes to Ooty on some other work and meets Meena. Lakshmi comes to know that her son died in the same accident in which Arjun lost his wife. Coming to know of Meena's thought of a remarriage with Arjun, she decides to unite Arjun & Meena.

An expected climax and the lag in the pre climax test viewer's patience.

Cinematography by Vinod renders the film, some of the earth breaking visuals. A. R. Rehman does his Job well yet another time. Arjun, Jyothika excell in their roles, where as Ramesh Aravind fails in his work, trying to ape Karthik character in "Mouna Ragam". Meena is apt, if not great, in her performance. Others did their jobs well.

Quite a famine subject in nature and so is the best bet for women audiences. Lyrics by Vairamuttu in Tamil and by Bhuvana Chandra in Telugu are extraordinary, especially in "Gali Naa Vakili....". Ramya Krishna moves her hip with Raju Sundaram for an item song "Ayyo Padu Chi Chi.." which is an added attraction for youth.