NENJIL OR AALAYAM review

Kalyankumar, R.Muthuraman, Devika, Nagesh, Manorama and Baby Padmini star in Nenjil Ohr Aalayam, a black-and-white production of 1962 from Shridhar’s own production company, Chithralaya.

Shridhar, the director of films like Kaadhalikka Neramillai and Vennira Aadai, was a top director of his time. His films were fresh, innovative, thought-provoking and – above all – entertaining.

When I first watched Nenjil Ohr Aalayam, it was with a lot of misgivings because, firstly, it was in black-and-white and, secondly, the lead star was someone I had never heard about before. However, in the very first minute – literally – it was very clear that Nenjil ohr Aalayam was a film with class.

The entire film is set in a nursing room run by a totally dedicated doctor, Dr Muralli (Kalyankumar). The hospital and his patients are Dr Muralli’s life, and his dedication is so intense that there are even days when he does not go home.- this despite the fact that he has an ailing mother.

There is, however, a reason for Dr Muralli’s obsession with his job; Seetha, the girl he was so deeply in love with, married another man without a word of explanation to Dr Muralli. This left Dr Muralli not embittered, but emotionally devastated.

As fate would have it, a young couple, Mr and Mrs Venu arrive at the nursing home. The husband (R.Muthuraman) has cancer of the lung which is in a fairly advanced stage….And who is Venu’s wife? Seetha (Devika), Dr Muralli’s ex-lover.

With this as the central story, the film also has sub-plots dealing with the lives of other patients in the nursing home. Some good comic relief comes from Peter (Nagesh), the orderly, who falls hopelessly in love with one of the patients, Navaneedham (a very young Manorama).

Shridhar’s scripting is amazingly realistic and therefore very moving. Kalyankumar, Devika and Muthuraman all put in splendid performances as does Baby Padmini in the role of Uma.

Nenjil ohr Aalayam marked the first major Tamilrole of comedian Nagesh and for South Africans his screen name in the film, Peter, stuck to their memories. Of course,

With Mellisai Mannargall Visvanathan-Ramamoorthy responsible for the music, one can expect some great songs and one would be right. My favourites are Engirundhaalum Vaazhga and Ninaipathellaam Nadanthuvitaal – both sung by P.B. Srinivos.

Director Shridhar also handles the portfolios of story and scripting and does an outstanding job of all three. With an excellent story, a potent script, dynamic setting, melodious songs, moving lyrics and an innovative director, Nenjil ohr Aalayam is a film you simply cannot miss.