Co-stars: Vikram, Laila, Sangeetha, Karunaas, Mano Bala
Music Director: Illayaraja
Producer/Banner : Evergreen
Movies International
Director: Bala
Pithamagan is the much-awaited film
of director Bala who made the careers of Vikram and Surya in Sethu and Nanda who are coming together in this film. Pithamagan whirls around four characters. Chithan (Vikram) who is orphaned at
a young age, devoid of all human contacts lives on his animal instincts and ekes out a living as a graveyard caretaker. Gomathy
(Sangeetha) a petty ganja seller who pities Chitans condition and gets him a job at the ganja fields of the main villain.
Sakthi (Surya) the conman cons Manju (Laila), a poly technique student but does not get away with it. Sakthi meets Chithan
in jail and takes pity on him and befriends him. It is Sakthis affection that melts Chithans stony heart.
This role, a rare one that has minimal dialogue but
has a lot of body actions, is no doubt a challenging one for Vikram and he has played it extremely well. A lifetime performance
by Vikram. Sakthi portrayed by Suriya is a sly character whose livelihood is conning other victims. It is hilarious to watch
the scenes where Manju’s seething anger, which is directed at Sakthi, is turned away by Sakthi’s quick-witted
humour. Suriya as the extrovert has lived in that character. Laila unlike her previous roles has more depth and has given
a fine performance. Finally there is Gomathy the ganja-dealer played by Sangeetha. It has been a long time come back to films
for Sangeetha who has got a new lease of acting, thanks to Pithamagan. She simply steals the show. Simran comes in an item
number as actress Simran. Director Bala has given an unusual film with rare portrayals. He has taken extreme care in etching
out the characters.Towards the end when Suriya is brutally attacked by the local bigwig’s men, Bala’s brilliant
direction moves the audience. Cameraman Balasubramanyem’s visuals are stunning. Illayaraja’s music especially
background score is an asset to the director.
