Of son-father bonding

Haridas

Tamil (U)
Cast: Kishore, Sneha, Prithviraj Das, Soori, Pradeep Rawat,
Director: G N R Kumaravelan

Aamir Khan started it with Tare Zameen Par. The emotive and sensitive issue of specially abled children and the way society and families need to tackle them tactly. The trend seems to never tire directors flogging the subject as often and making celluloid capital out of it, with their own individual perceptiveness.

Based on a true story, Haridas, with Kumaravelan of Ninaithale Inikkum, and Yuvan Yuvathi-fame helming the subject is one more. It revolves around an eight-year-old autistic child Haridas. And Kumaravelan ensures he does not become too indulgent to go overboard turning all preachy and treacly.

Poignant and insightful, Kumaravelan thankfully tackles the subject with deftness and the subtlety it deserves. The film does have its sagging moments. However, this can be glossed over, given the honesty Kumaravelan invests in the subject.

Sivadas is your typical, flamboyant, no-nonsense cop, encounter specialist singlehandedly striving to get at Aadhi, a tough-talking don. However, the return of his son from his grandmother’s village forces Sivadas on the back foot with his job, having to take special care of his autistic son. How he does the twin job as a warm and caring, single parent and a cop on mission, with the help of Amudhavalli, teacher specially trained to deal with children of Haridas’ kind, forms the fulcrum.

Kumaravelan provides pointed lessons to parents that puts them into introspective mode. Kishore and boy-actor Prithviraj Das come up with competent jobs. Sneha chips in as an able foil. Adding to the ensemble is Rathnavelu’s cinematography. In sum, Haridas is engaging and effective.