Indian Cinema is steadily moving towards changes and adapting trends and that is also the case in the acceptance of showcasing positive stories of Same Sex Couples and their relationship in the biggest entertainment medium. ‘Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai’ helmed by filmmaker Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan treads on the lines of two women whose love and relationship is put under the microscope to be read, discussed and preached to an extent. Starring Rohini, Vineeth, Lijomol, Anusha Prabhu and Kalesh Ramanand, the film released in the spirit of spreading love on 14 February 2025.
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai
Sam (Lijomol), a well loved and pampered daughter of Lakshmi (Rohini) has an open hearted conversation about her love with her mother who accepts her relationship and is happy about meeting her partner who she assumes to be a man. A lovable mother who gives all her love to Sam, Lakshmi is a social media personality who narrates about life, philosophy, love and relationships but is a single mother. The meet is planned on a Sunday when Sam asks her friend Ravindra (Kalesh Ramanand) to bring Nandhini (Anusha Prabhu) who is her actual lover.
While Lakshmi is super excited to get to know Ravindra, she is toppled over to know that her daughter is attracted and in love with Nandhini. Lakshmi finds it difficult to accept or digest the fact that her daughter is a lesbian and abruptly reacts. She calls her Ex- husband, Devaraj (Vineeth) who tries to preach and meddle into ‘change’ Sam back to ‘normal’. While the five characters are in a deep conversation, will the parents accept their relationship or fluctuate badly is the quick sum of the film.
‘Traffic’ movie Cast reunites for a Stellar Thriller: Kunchacko Boban, Bobby Sanjay on BoardThe Positive Aspects
It is a progressive and sensible step from director Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan to advocate positively about Same Sex love and take it to the forum with such a grounded story. A quick narration that doesn’t shy away from giving direct and potent points of two women in love that is not all emotions.
Actor Vineeth and Actress Rohini blend in with the narrative, reacting as the film and characters progress with the latter handling things emotionally and abruptly, leading with confusion and anger while Vineeth’s character takes incharge of finding a solution through conversation.
Actresses Lijomol and Anusha Prabhu are putting on a strong and mature front, their armour in front of the parents while Kalesh Ramanand’s character takes up lead explaining and convincing the prior generation in a realistic way.
Shrinking such a sensitive subject into an 1 hour 40 minutes movie is a sensible move as the movie is full of conversations which might be boring or tiresome for some. Visuals and elements such as montages of the two women meeting adds layers.
Releasing on Valentine’s Day ❤️ pic.twitter.com/03qwtf4w1e
— Rohini Molleti (@Rohinimolleti) December 14, 2024
The Negative Aspects
In breaking the taboos of the society, the story leans a little too much at portraying men in a darker light with an estranged and detached father, scenes of the house help’s son in law being a domestic abuser or dialogues like ‘There is no place for men in out world’ land a bad fall. Although the contrast of Ravindra is refreshing, the only anchoring character in the film, such depiction of men is seen as a reason for women to support or accept Same Sex Love.
The Verdict
Kaadhal Enbadhu Podhu Udamai at the core breaks the glass barrier regarding Same Sex Love and shoots a sensible and mature shot at addressing it. A decent try on shifting the narrative on Queer Love without being preachy or making it vulgar, Jayaprakash Radhakrishnan’s writing towards the climax steers the conversation towards acceptance.
