Kandukondain Kandukondain - Meenakshi Supremacy

KANDUKONDAIN KANDUKONDAIN - MEENAKSHI SUPREMACY

Everyone's favorite in the Indian cinematic adaptation of Jane Austen's Sense and Sensibility, Kandukondain Kandukondain is Sowmya. But my personal favorite is Meenakshi.

She speaks her mind and doesn't mince her words. A rebel and a dreamer, she is however willing to learn and rectify her flaws. 

Meenakshi lectures Major Bala who advises her to take vocal classes that he should quit drinking before telling her what she should do. The cattiness defines her character and she carries it till the end, being unapologetic and a badass.

She's very supportive of Sowmya and doesn't tolerate it when she's deemed "unlucky." She fights on behalf of her meek elder sister and comforts her as well.

Meenakshi doesn't tolerate Sowmya being branded unlucky. She speaks on her reticent elder sister's behalf, showing her displeasure openly and defending her - subtly breaking the "athista kattai" (jinxed woman) superstition.

She doesn't have inhibitions to correct others, even if it's the love of her life. She's confident about what she knows and displays it. She also doesn't hold back apologies when she realizes that she was impudent.

Meenakshi may regret her straightforward tendencies, especially at Srikanth's mix up of Bharathi and Bharathi Dhasan but such a trait is important for women - say exactly what is in your mind. Don't beat around the bush. 

She wants to work and contribute to her family. More importantly, she makes the effort to reach Srikanth rather than sitting and crying - she has a charming dynamism and proactive idiosyncrasies.

Meenakshi is unwilling to be idle and resign her fate to destiny - she's adamant about deciding her life. She seizes the day and believes in effort and endeavor, not serendipity and dumb luck.

She doesn't compromise on her self-respect and stands her ground. Sassiness at its finest.

One of my favorite scenes is when Meenakshi gives back to her selfish aunt. Unlike Sowmya, Meenakshi goes for the jugular ferociously.

She is firm and accepts a change of heart as life experiences forces her to take her head out of the clouds and see what she has on her hand.

From an inferno to a calm, collected lake, Meenakshi's character development is something we all need to learn from. She admits her infantile behavior in hindsight and shows herself as a changed person who now knows what she needs.

She rejects anything and everything that compromises her self-respect, even if it's the man of her dreams. She's unwilling to accept 2nd class citizen status.

Meenakshi refuses to even consider the now married Srikanth as someone she would like to be in her life. She says the right things and drops her idealism cold turkey, choosing herself and her peace - she doesn't make any bones about it.

She realizes, much earlier than most people, that age, external appearances, and disability don't define who a person is - what they do for other people does. She's still adamant about the little things, like insisting on holding the "rugged boy" Major's hand.

Maturity is not choosing a life partner based on looks and age and Meenakshi embodies it. One can say that Major Bala likes Meenakshi because she's beautiful. But it's evident he doesn't expect anything in return from her. Unlike those "nice guys" who complain about being friendzoned, Major Bala only wants the best for Meenakshi and her happiness in return. It's heartwarming to see Meenakshi putting all the pieces together and proposing to Bala so beautifully.