Lubber Pandhu - Its a Six!

Lubber Pandhu

Tamil / Drama
146 mins
Hotstar

Lubber Pandhu was one five back to back Tamil movie releases from Sep/Oct this year, all of which were successful, replicating Malayalam's cinema's golden summer.

At first i wasn't sure if i wanted to watch it. It seemed similar to Blue Star,  another cricket based societal drama. I also had just finished the very good Vaazhai,  which was a  good movie but had castiest undertones as well, so i wasn't really in the mood for another of the same kind.  However I watched the trailer of this movie and it felt different. In the end, I am delighted i took the chance to watch this very light and enjoyable film.

Poomalai / Gethu (Dinesh), is a celebrated batter from his village's rubber ball cricket team, much to the chagrin of his wife Yashodhai (Swasika Vijay). He bashes bowlers to the tune of Captain's (Late actor Vijayakanth) songs, while Yashodhai struggles to manage the household. 

Anbu ( Harish Kalyan) is a talented fast bowler and popular across villages as he plays for different teams. During his growing days, he had seen Gethu in his prime and felt that he could get him out,  although he never got a chance at the time.  Anbu meets Durga (Sanjana , from the Prime video series Vadhanthi) at a wedding and they fall in love.

While Gethu (older, but swagger undiminished) continues to skip work for his cricket, Yashodhai is looking for a groom for their daughter (Durga, no surprises). They agree to the marriage alliance with Anbu's family. With no knowledge of this, in another cricket tournament, Anbu gets his chance against Gethu and gets him out bowled ( a weakness he had spotted when he had first seen him).

Gethu is shocked and ashamed at this ignominy. A post match fight ensues and the two men who are soon to be related as Father/son in law end up baying for each other's blood!

Written and directed by debutant Tamizharasan Pachamuthu, Lubber Pandhu beautifully weaves in a love story and a family drama around the theme of rubber ball cricket. The movie is also very subtle about casteism and sexism sans the grim tone and tenor of  PA Ranjith or Mari Selvaraj movies. 

This is what i most enjoyed, serious themes can also be brought to light without being "in your face". The acting by the principal cast is solid. I loved that the two leading ladies get the best scenes and lines and they did full justice.

The commentators in the cricket matches throw some absolutely GOLD one liners, making a strong case to feature in the commentary for the TNPL or IPL games.

Strong performances, a breezy screenplay, hummable music, cricket (and the commentary) make this a very easy and fun watch.