‘Inam,’ an emotional tale
By Mythily Ramachandran
He is washed ashore and when the children discover
him, questions arise in every one’s mind. Who is he? Is he a militant or a
government soldier, they wonder on finding a knife in his bag? And, when
they uncover his face, he tells them, he wants to go back to sleep.
What’s your name? They ask.
“I am Nandan,’ he mutters before going back to sleep.
Nandan is given shelter at their orphanage in civil war torn Sri Lanka at the insistence of their caretaker, a mother figure, whom they fondly call tsunami akka (Saritha).
Every child here carries behind him a sad tale, of families lost in war. While tsunami akka tends to their daily needs, it is Stanley (Karunas) who imparts a basic education to the children. Stanley hopes that one day they will all migrate to another land for a better life. And he religiously prepares documents for every child here. Tsunami akka however believes in staying back in their homeland.
‘Inam,’ takes viewers to war torn Sri Lanka where following the departure of UN forces, the government stepped up its war against the Tamil Tigers. And, caught in this indiscriminate shelling were innocent civilians.
What gives life to this otherwise morbid tale, are little moments of joy stolen from life. Seventeen year-old Rajini falling in love with Ravi, her companion, at the orphanage and growing up into a woman. Then the clandestine midnight meal the children cook after stealing Stanley sir’s rooster. There is more to life besides bullets and war smoke.
Director Santosh Sivan has crafted his characters with great care and their distinguishing traits sets each one apart.
Matched with a laudable performance by the cast ‘Inam,’ keeps the audience engaged. Bollywood actor, Sugandha Ram is brilliant as Rajini, the 17-year-old, who braves all odds to eventually finding refuge in India. Yesteryears Saritha returns with a neat performance.
Playing Nandan, a special child is Karan, a Downs Syndrome person himself. Beating stereotypes, Sivan has portrayed Nandan in a most endearing manner. You will laugh indulgently at Nandan’s antics without ridiculing him and love him for his innocence. His bag of treasures that he closely guards includes a skull, which he calls Mr. Friend. My favourite scene is the one where he lets free the tortoise that he has rescued in the war. Don’t miss the hundred dollar bill sticking to its shell.
With Sivan’s signature on every frame, ‘Inam’ is sheer poetry. Those poignant visuals surrounding animals, be it the little kittens playing or the chickens that scurry as bombs fly, they touch a tender chord in you.
‘Inam’ takes you to the war zone, where man and animals struggle for survival.
What’s your name? They ask.
“I am Nandan,’ he mutters before going back to sleep.
Nandan is given shelter at their orphanage in civil war torn Sri Lanka at the insistence of their caretaker, a mother figure, whom they fondly call tsunami akka (Saritha).
Every child here carries behind him a sad tale, of families lost in war. While tsunami akka tends to their daily needs, it is Stanley (Karunas) who imparts a basic education to the children. Stanley hopes that one day they will all migrate to another land for a better life. And he religiously prepares documents for every child here. Tsunami akka however believes in staying back in their homeland.
‘Inam,’ takes viewers to war torn Sri Lanka where following the departure of UN forces, the government stepped up its war against the Tamil Tigers. And, caught in this indiscriminate shelling were innocent civilians.
What gives life to this otherwise morbid tale, are little moments of joy stolen from life. Seventeen year-old Rajini falling in love with Ravi, her companion, at the orphanage and growing up into a woman. Then the clandestine midnight meal the children cook after stealing Stanley sir’s rooster. There is more to life besides bullets and war smoke.
Director Santosh Sivan has crafted his characters with great care and their distinguishing traits sets each one apart.
Matched with a laudable performance by the cast ‘Inam,’ keeps the audience engaged. Bollywood actor, Sugandha Ram is brilliant as Rajini, the 17-year-old, who braves all odds to eventually finding refuge in India. Yesteryears Saritha returns with a neat performance.
Playing Nandan, a special child is Karan, a Downs Syndrome person himself. Beating stereotypes, Sivan has portrayed Nandan in a most endearing manner. You will laugh indulgently at Nandan’s antics without ridiculing him and love him for his innocence. His bag of treasures that he closely guards includes a skull, which he calls Mr. Friend. My favourite scene is the one where he lets free the tortoise that he has rescued in the war. Don’t miss the hundred dollar bill sticking to its shell.
With Sivan’s signature on every frame, ‘Inam’ is sheer poetry. Those poignant visuals surrounding animals, be it the little kittens playing or the chickens that scurry as bombs fly, they touch a tender chord in you.
‘Inam’ takes you to the war zone, where man and animals struggle for survival.
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