‘Pon Magal Vandhal’ a story with an important message

While parents teach their daughters how she should behave, dress and whom to befriend, they ought to also teach their sons how to treat women and to respect them,’ says lawyer Venba in this courtroom drama

By Mythily Ramachandran

A tranquil misty morning’s beauty is shattered by gun shots and a child’s cries, ‘Amma Amma.’ News reported on television talks about the arrest of Jyoti-a psycho killer who has been abducting little girls in Lovedale, Ooty. The next breaking news is about Jyoti’s death in a police encounter and recovery of dead bodies of children in the yard around her house. According to media reports Jyoti was a wanted criminal from Jaipur. This case of 2004 thus solved is closed.

Jyotika plays a lawyer Venba

Cut to the present- fifteen years later. We meet Pethuraj (actor director K. Bhagyaraj) better known as Petition Pethuraj for his many petitions against small crimes filed in court. He lives with his daughter Venba (Jyotika).

When Pethuraj files a petition reopening the case of Jyoti who he believes has been wrongly implicated by the police, it is Venba who takes up the suit-her first case as a lawyer. But then, she earns the wrath of the local community for pleading the case of an inhuman killer.

Why does Venba take on this case? Who is Jyoti?   

The team-Pandiarajan, K. Bhagyaraj, Pratap Pothen, director J J Fredrick, Jyotika and Parthiban

Debutant director J.J.Fredrick’s ‘Pon Magal Vandhal’ is a court-room drama that spills skeletons out of the closet while unearthing the truth about Jyoti. Child sexual abuse being the plot point here, the film closes with Venba saying-‘While parents teach their daughters how she should behave, dress and whom to befriend, they ought to also teach their sons how to treat women and to respect them.’ According to National Crime records India ranks seven and Tamil Nadu occupies the third place with respect to child sexual abuse.

The producers actors Surya and Jyotika deserves a pat for taking on this subject along with the director who instead of a formula story around a star preferred the less beaten track. Fredrick makes a good start. Of late portraying north Indians as criminals has become the norm in Tamil and Malayalam cinema. I liked that point made here and rebuking us for making presumptions about north Indians. But, the story required better writing.

‘Pon Magal Vandhal’ is more of an investigative thriller and less of a court room drama. There are some unwarranted scenes supposed to evoke laughter and characters having little to contribute. Jyotika playing a dual role is not a good idea either.

Jyotika who has been selective about roles in her second innings is earnest and sincere in championing the cause. She has dubbed for herself in Tamil-which is not her mother-tongue. She is in fine form as Venba. 

Director Fredrick with actor Thiagarajan on the sets 

Parthiban plays lawyer Rajarathinam countering Venba in court. He is in his usual element delivering lines with a play on words.

What makes ‘Pon Magal Vandhal’ worth a watch is its important message and Jyotika’s performance. Cinematographer Ramji’s visuals are a treat.
And, yes like Venba says-‘Let’s teach our sons a couple of things too.'