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Indian Express
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- Indian Express
Paranthu Po movie review: Ram makes up for Peranbu, offering warm hugs to young parents and kids
Paranthu Po movie review: Is it just me, or has there suddenly been a surge, at least on screen, of annoying kids whose only aim seems to be making the lives of the adults around them miserable? It appears filmmakers have all at once developed an affinity for these children who simply don't know how or when to pipe down, and the only reason they aren't put in their place is because they're little. Don't get me wrong; I'm not referring to someone like Sarkeet's Jeffron (Orhan), who is portrayed to have severe attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD). Nor am I implying or suggesting even remotely that kids need to be physically dealt with. But let's be honest… had his parents and relatives been somewhat responsible — and as good at parenting as they were at reproduction — Nilan (Prageeth Sivan) in Maaman might have turned out at least a tad less annoying. Although Anbu (Mithul Ryan) in Ram's musical slice-of-life road comedy Paranthu Po (Fly Away) isn't as grating as Nilan, there are quite a few moments in the film that could easily encourage, albeit indirectly, anyone considering having kids to reconsider. But where Ram succeeds is in his ability to not overtly glorify or look down on anything, and offer instead an unbiased depiction of the limitations and struggles of modern-day parenting, and how ill-equipped and unprepared many couples are to raise children, with all that they have being the desire to become parents. For eight-year-old Anbu, life comprises the few hours he spends in a high-end school and the remaining hours within the walls of his small apartment in Chennai. With no friends, his only moments of happiness come when he sees his crush Jenna (Jess Sweejan) on screen during their online classes. A kid with a golden retriever soul, Anbu's zoomies are mostly confined to his home, as both his parents, Gokul (Shiva) and Glory (Grace Antony), are employed and often have to leave for work, locking their little boy inside the apartment. Though he has enough toys, including his favourite skateboard and a laptop to keep him occupied, Anbu wishes to spend more time outside and in the company of his parents, something they are unable to offer consistently, owing to their relentless efforts to make ends meet. But what makes the equation endearing is that both Gokul and Glory are aware of this and never try to justify their absence. Instead, they often feel guilty that they aren't there for Anbu more, and frequently attempt to make up for the moments they've missed. But from a kid's POV, it's simply not enough, and you can't blame them for that. On a random day, when Glory is away in Coimbatore for work, Anbu and Gokul venture out, which ultimately turns into an impromptu road trip. The remainder of the movie follows the father-son duo as the silly tensions and differences of opinion between them lead them to unexpected places, where they meet some joyful souls, and learn life lessons that touch them all, including Glory, who is always just a call away from her husband and child. In a way, it can be said that Paranthu Po is Ram's gift to us to compensate for making us cry our eyes out watching Peranbu (2019). It's almost like his attempt to rub ointment into the many wounds and scars the Mammootty-starrer left behind. Not only is there no dull moment in Paranthu Po, but even the instances when the characters get emotional are handled with such sensitivity and care that the film never veers into dramatic territory. To ensure this warm, gentle vibe, Ram sprinkles songs, crafted by Santhosh Dhayanithi and penned by Madhan Karky, throughout the movie that reminds one of nursery rhymes such as 'Jack and Jill', 'Twinkle Twinkle Little Star', 'Baa Baa Black Sheep' or 'Johny Johny Yes Papa'. Even as the movie progresses, Ram ensures he doesn't shift gears unnecessarily, maintaining the pace he established early on and letting the narrative unfold organically. Paranthu Po also demonstrates clearly that the writer-director, despite this being his sixth filmmaking venture, hasn't lost connection with the grassroots. Instead of resorting to templated moments typical of slice-of-life films, he picks more mundane and far more relatable instances from the real lives of such middle-class families, which keeps the movie grounded. Even the interactions between characters are stripped of unnecessary cinematic or dramatic flourishes, and he adheres to the unique tone of Paranthu Po throughout without slipping. However, while this is indeed the movie's strength, it also becomes its weakness at certain points, as the conflicts — predominantly stemming from Anbu's adamant and restless nature — start to feel repetitive. For example, at the beginning itself, we see his tendency to run away and venture into the massive outside world to enjoy real-life experiences. It also shows that he doesn't listen to his parents much and has a strong inclination to follow only his instincts. While this is cute at first, the repeated use of the same tropes becomes tiresome after a point, and one can't help but feel sad and sorry for Gokul, who is forced to run around with his weak knee, chasing Anbu. Although Ram manages to pull the narrative out of this somewhat monotony by bringing in Gokul's old classmate from school, Vanitha (an extraordinarily brilliant Anjali), who was also his crush, along with her husband Gunasekaran (an impressive Aju Varghese) and their child, with whom Anbu forms a deep bond very quickly, such moments are scattered across the film. As a result, we are mostly just watching Gokul and Anbu, and a bit more effort from the filmmaker to eke out something more or venture into fresher territories would indeed have benefited Paranthu Po. As mentioned before, since the movie is filled with nursery rhyme-like songs such as 'BTS', 'Yaarunu Theriyudha', 'Daddy Baddy', 'Daddy Romba Paavam', 'Anboda Serupa Kaanom', and 'Dino', Ram could even have allowed Gokul and Anbu to break into silly, adorable dances once or twice, which would have worked greatly in the film's favour. However, his overt attempts to stick to realism have cost him to some extent here. Nonetheless, the movie is more or less like a gentle, warm hug to all young parents who are still figuring out their new roles, and to the kids of this era who are waiting for chances to fly away. In that regard, Paranthu Po works beautifully, thanks in part to exceptional performances by Grace Antony, Shiva and Mithul Ryan. Grace knocks it out of the park as Glory, brilliantly portraying her joys, sorrows, anguish and grief over her family's resentment since she married a man of another religion. Cinema has time and again shown us that actors who excel at comedy will be equally talented in serious roles, and Shiva demonstrates this well. Although Gokul isn't a very serious character, Shiva never allows his knack for exaggerated comedy to seep in. Instead, he uses his ability to deliver spontaneous humour with a straight face to great effect. Ram also deserves credit for not just entrusting Shiva with such a role, but for extracting the best from him as both an actor and a comedian. Considering that Anbu is a tricky character, where even a step overboard in terms of cuteness or annoying behaviour could have made him insufferable, Mithul also does a brilliant job, doing justice to the role. NK Ekhambram's cinematography and Mathi VS' editing also contribute significantly to Paranthu Po's overall quality. Although the songs are in tune with the tone of the movie, I personally felt that Ram could have toned them down a notch, as both the tracks and the background score often felt forced. Had he embraced ambient and atmospheric sounds a bit more, Paranthu Po could have been even more enjoyable. But that's just me. Paranthu Po movie cast: Shiva, Grace Antony, Mithul Ryan, Anjali, Aju Varghese, Vijay Yesudas Paranthu Po movie director: Ram Paranthu Po movie rating: 3 stars Anandu Suresh is a Senior sub-editor at Indian Express Online. He specialises in Malayalam cinema, but doesn't limit himself to it and explores various aspects of the art form. He also pens a column titled Cinema Anatomy, where he delves extensively into the diverse layers and dimensions of cinema, aiming to uncover deeper meanings and foster continuous discourse. Anandu previously worked with The New Indian Express' news desk in Hyderabad, Telangana. You can follow him on Twitter @anandu_suresh_ and write (or send movie recommendations) to him at ... Read More
The Hindu
04-07-2025
- Entertainment
- The Hindu
‘Paranthu Po' movie review: A gentle reflection on escaping the grind
We lose something intangible in a world without physical media. Streaming allows convenient consumption, but there was something about holding tapes and those old MP3 music players that made us believe the music was our own. Watching an endearing piece of art like Paranthu Pomakes you wish you could hold onto it somehow, to stay in its effect, revisit, and almost seek ownership. Directed by ace filmmaker Ram, Paranthu Po is a breath of fresh air in Tamil cinema. It is a polaroid of characters a million Indian middle-class families could see themselves in — it's about the dreams that have caged them to a lifestyle and environment, the ebbs and flows in the pursuit of those dreams, and the comfort in breaking out of the rut and seeing the world as an eight-year-old boy who knows how to climb mountains but not how to climb down. With a mystifyingly simple language and a tone that is casual and humorous, Paranthu Po is a striking departure from the tone of Ram's diverse filmography. The writer-director manages to achieve a lot through an elegant premise and austere filmmaking. The very first sequence of the film encapsulates the essence of what follows. A drone shot and a background track akin to a nursery rhyme take us to an upper-middle-class apartment in Chitlapakam, Chennai — the lyrics suggest how the house was built encroaching over a lake, which becomes a pointed political commentary as well as a metaphor for the delicate footing over which working-class dreams are built. The apartment is home to the naughty eight-year-old Anbu (even his name means affection; child actor Mithul Ryan shoulders the film), whose hyperactivity and curiosity need all the attention of his parents. His father, Gokul (Shiva's performance would make every middle-class father feel like an 'Agila Ulaga Superstar'), owns an organic foods business, while his mother, Glory (we need Grace Antony in more Tamil comedies), is currently busy at her saree stall at an expo in Coimbatore, yearning to return to her haven soon. From afar, Anbu has almost everything a boy of his age would ask for: dotting parents who work hard to ensure he gets the best education; expensive toys, and he even has a 'crush' who responds to his heart emojis! There are hints of how spoiled he is in his parents' endless attempts to pacify him. From the way Gokul cuts the call from Anbu's annoyed school teacher, or how he locks the gate whenever he leaves Anbu alone, or how the child casually speaks to a delivery agent delivering a peace offering pizza from his mother, there are signs that this is habitual in this household. But this isn't just the usual case of a child throwing tantrums. There's an inexplicable restlessness in the child, which is what we and Anbu's parents begin to understand more about when Gokul and Anbu (whose waveboard-riding mimics a bird flying) go on an incidental road trip to the suburbs, a journey that brings one too many surprises and colourful characters — like Emperor, who has an unbeatable open-air 'palatial' abode and a heart nobler than any king; Dharma The Great, who climbs atop trees and makes bird calls; and Vanitha (Anjali), Glory's long-lost 'crush' and her soft-spoken husband Gunashekhar (Aju Varghese). We also get on a rocketship to Mars and wish for a dinosaur to come out of a duck egg. Paranthu Po (Tamil) Director: Ram Cast: Shiva, Grace Antony, Mithul Ryan, Anjali, Aju Varghese Runtime: 132 minutes Storyline: A young boy and his father go on an unforgettable, life-changing road trip Paranthu Po, as the title tells, is a story about the necessity to fly away from all that we trap ourselves under in our pursuit of dreams, and it's something to think how most of us would have come across or yearned for an Anbu to break us out of our spells and usher us towards the mountains. It's a gentle musical road comedy — a rarity in Tamil cinema — that makes you want to climb mountains, walk through a sunflower field, sleep atop a tree, swim in a lake, or hold a duck's egg in your hand. Sequences move gradually in a linear fashion, and the information we need about their pasts is either told matter-of-factly or becomes pivotal subplots for characters, like how Glory's family hasn't spoken to her since she married someone from a different religion against their will. A major strength of Paranthu Po is the gentle, deadpan comedy that leaves you in splits every fifth minute. Letting songs written in simple Tamil and English, like a catchy school-time poem, accompany the narration works like a charm. Moreover, nothing feels out of place, and initial shots of the child playing with a tractor toy or donning a football jersey become hilarious details recalled later on. The language Ram opts to tell the story in has the appeal of one of those bedtime stories you could revisit at any age and always find a little more to love, laugh and think about. This is a film that acknowledges the bad in the world but compels you to look at the good and to expect kindness from fellow human beings. A tea stall owner goes to any lengths to help a father. An auto driver is empathetic to the plight of a helpless woman. A father witnesses a painful but hilarious 'no smoking' campaign from his son. A poor old homeless man buys breakfast for his unlikely, richer guests. The kindness people put out to the world finds a way of coming back to them. This is, after all, a film that makes even 'Saathaaney' ('devil') turn into a term of endearment. Ram does touch upon some worldly topics, including caste, religion and class, but like the analogy he keeps mentioning in his interviews, these commentaries flow deep into the stream, and on top, the river flows as calmly as it could. In colloquial Tamil, 'malai erittaan' — which translates to 'he scaled the mountain' — is used to refer to someone throwing a tantrum. Paranthu Po is a film about a child learning to climb down a mountain, literally and metaphorically, but it is also a story that urges us to fly away to the hills and to remember when we threw a tantrum every time life seemed unfair. Perhaps it is a romanticised perspective on life in the modern world, but there's romance in listening to Ilaiyaraaja on an old tape recorder while sitting on a hilltop. Paranthu Po reminds us that life loses its magic when we can no longer dream of dinosaurs hatching from duck eggs. Paranthu Po is currently running in theatres
Time of India
26-06-2025
- Entertainment
- Time of India
Trailer of director Ram's light-hearted entertainer 'Paranthu Po' released
The makers of director Ram's eagerly awaited entertainer 'Paranthu Po', featuring actors Mirchi Shiva, Anjali , Grace Antony and master Mitul Ryan in the lead, on Thursday released the film's trailer much to the delight of fans and film buffs. The trailer released on Thursday begins with a young child Anbu (Mitul Ryan) demanding that his parents promise him that they will all stay in the village. When his parents who are baffled by his reference to a village ask him what he means by the village, he says, "The place where there's a hill, a pond, a football ground and friends to play with." Paranthu Po - Trailer | Ram | Shiva | Grace Antony | Anjali | Aju Varghese | Santhosh Dhayanithi Anbu is mischief personified. Brutally honest on the one hand and full of questions on the other, Anbu is a typical child whose constant queries put his parents in a spot of bother. The trailer shows Anbu's father (played by Mirchi Shiva) finally taking him on a bike ride. It also shows Anbu's father's relationship with his dad (played by Balaji Sakthivel). The trailer ends with a statement by director Ram. He says, "For every parent struggling to succeed for their kids..." In all, one gets the impression that the film is a light-hearted, buoyant musical comedy that revolves around an obstinate schoolboy and his loving but cash-strapped dad. by Taboola by Taboola Sponsored Links Sponsored Links Promoted Links Promoted Links You May Like 5 Books Warren Buffett Wants You to Read In 2025 Blinkist: Warren Buffett's Reading List Undo Talking about the film's lead actor Mirchi Shiva, Ram, in an earlier interview, had said, "Shiva and I began our careers in 2007 - he with 'Chennai 28' and I with 'Katrathu Tamil'. At that time, he was working at Radio Mirchi and interviewed me. We've been friends since then and have always wanted to collaborate. Finally, it happened with 'Paranthu Po' in 2024." Paranthu Po - Official Teaser 'Paranthu Po' will also be the first time that Ram has ventured into the comedy genre. "This film marks my first venture into feel-good comedy, featuring a talented ensemble cast. Grace Antony, known for her work in Malayalam cinema, was my perfect choice for the role given her natural flair for comedy. As always, Anjali has been incredibly supportive. Aju Varghese and Vijay Yesudas have been instrumental during both shooting and dubbing, making the process smooth. I'm also excited to introduce Master Mitul Ryan, a gifted young actor whose natural performance will surely surprise audiences. Collaborating with Hotstar has been a wonderful experience - they trusted my vision and allowed me to stay true to my original script. The entire team made it a peaceful and pleasant journey," Ram said. Background score for the film is by Yuvan Shankar Raja and music is by Santhosh Dhayanithi. NK Ekhambram has cranked the camera for this film, which has editing by Mathi VS. The film's songs have lyrics by Madhan Karky while its stunts have been choreographed by Stunt Silva.
IOL News
25-06-2025
- Entertainment
- IOL News
Kevin Akaloo to celebrate 100th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba with 100 bhajans in Durban
Bhajan singer Kevin Akaloo Image: Supplied BHAJAN singer Kevin Akaloo is in South Africa to join fellow Sai devotees to commemorate the 100th birthday of Sri Sathya Sai Baba this Saturday at the outerfields of the Kings Park Stadium in Durban. Sai aspirants will unite to further the teachings of Sai Baba through bhajans, which Akaloo and friends will render. They will sing 100 bhajans to mark the start of the centenary celebrations - ahead of Sai Baba's official birthday on November 23. "Sai devotees can expect a medley of melodious, soulful bhajans dedicated to our divine master and a tsunami of Sai Soldiers will gather to generate divine energy and love to power the world," said Akaloo. The Sai Soldiers, he said, referred to approximately 5 000 devotees who will attend dressed in white. He said the 100th birthday was more than a mere chronological milestone. It was a clarion call to rejuvenate and recommit to Sai Baba's ideals. "In an era marked by rapid technological advancements and moral dilemmas, his teachings offer a compass, directing humanity towards a future anchored in love, empathy, and unity. To this end, a number of events are being planned over the coming months in the build-up to the 100th birthday in November." He added that by advocating the principle of 'Love All, Serve All', Sai Baba had inspired a number of individuals to rise above narrow prejudices and embrace the broader race - the human family. "Even after a century, the crest of human values stands firm in the foundation of love and service." Akaloo, an engineer, was born and raised in Bayview, Chatsworth. He and his family relocated to Chicago in the US in 2016 as a result of a promotion in the company he worked in. The 54-year-old started singing from around age 3. "My parents, Sathia and Anju, used to take us to service from the time we were born. I picked up singing and continued with this in later years through singing for many Indian bands such as Metro Sungeeth, Vishnu, Anbu, Padma & National Entertainers. "I quit band singing when I entered high school as I wanted to focus on schoolwork but continued with bhajan singing. I did my first recording back in 1991. The CD was titled Garland of Bhajans and I have continued my singing and recording from thereon." He has participated in many concerts and shows over the years and held four of his own events with funds going to charity. While he mostly sings bhajans, Akaloo enjoys singing qawwali and movie songs. "In fact all my shows have had a mix of bhajans and Bollywood tracks." Akaloo, who won a South African Traditional Music Award for Best Cultural Album in 2012, has recorded 13CDs. His collection of songs is called Garland of Bhajans Volume 1 to 13. When asked about his unwavering faith for Sai Baba, he said it was difficult to explain the relationship that one had with the "divine". "So much of what I am and who I am is as a result of my faith and belief in Bhagawan. All I can say is that when I sing, I connect with a higher power that helps me generate divine energy and soulful vibrations. This allows fellow aspirants to connect even more with their divine self and the supreme master." He added that the best way to practice the teachings of love and service was: "Do not discriminate. Love all and serve all. Actions speak louder than words. And start by first serving those around you, like honouring your mother and father, then community, and society." Akaloo said there was a large Sai following across the US - with three centres in Chicago where devotees gathered for bhajans and special events. He is accompanied to weekly seva (selfless service) projects in the community with his wife, Deidre, and children, Max and Diara.
Time of India
14-06-2025
- General
- Time of India
Transgender people name colony after collector
1 2 3 Virudhunagar: As many as 24 transgender people who received permanent residences in Virudhunagar under a housing initiative have named the colony 'Anbu Aatchiyar VP Jeyaseelan Nagar' (Beloved collector V P Jeyaseelan Nagar) as a mark of gratitude to the district collector. They installed a board with the name, saying that no amount of thanks would be enough for finally managing to get a roof over their heads. It was in February that collector V P Jeyaseelan inaugurated 24 newly established houses for transgender people under the 'Kalaignar Kanavu Illam' scheme at Kovilpulikuthi under E Kumaralingapuram panchayat. Apart from the houses, Rs24 lakh from CSR funds was used to provide basic facilities, including water and electricity connections. Paver blocks and small bridges were constructed in the vicinity of the houses with Rs21.15 lakh from panchayat union public funds. The collector also assured continuous support to the transgender community for their upliftment. Around two months ago, the transgender people who moved into the colony came up with the idea of putting up a name board for the colony. The colony thus became 'Anbu Aatchiyar VP Jeyaseelan Nagar' in recognition of his contributions and support to the community. "We were all living in rented houses before. Being transgenders, many landlords often charged us more, which we couldn't afford as we had no jobs with regular salaries. If a normal person paid Rs2,000 as rent, we had to shell out Rs4,000. Only after moving here did we feel free. It was a godsend for us," said Santhini, a resident. She said employment remains one of the major challenges for transgender people even now. "I applied to be an anganwadi worker several times but am yet to be successful. Unless we get employed, we can't come out of this cycle of being looked down upon in society," she said. Shilpa, another resident, said permanent housing was a luxury for them, and demanded reservation in govt jobs for transgender people so that they get more opportunities. Follow more information on Air India plane crash in Ahmedabad here . Get real-time live updates on rescue operations and check full list of passengers onboard AI 171 .
