Jeans (1998) from an Adult's POV

Jeans is an evergreen favorite. But the movie has its share of issues one can only discern in adulthood.

I don't mean to criticize this movie - it was and still is one of my favorite in terms of making, costumes, comedy, and songs. Nonetheless, I watched this classic again yesterday and felt uneasy at certain scenes. One might have overlooked the plot this movie pivots on - it's actually even considered normal in Indian society. 

And I also found some positive aspects in Jeans that are worth emulating.

   

The original choices to play Viswanathan and Ramamurthy in Jeans were Abbas and Ajith. Their dates were fully booked so the roles went to Prashanth who worked exclusively on the project.

I can't help but wonder how Jeans would've turned out if Abbas or Ajith essayed Viswanathan and Ramamurthy's roles. 

Aishwarya Rai initially attempted to dub in her own voice for her Madhumita and Vaishnavi roles. Eventually, Savitha dubbed for Aishwarya.

Aishwarya Rai, Miss World 1994, was the original choice for the roles of Madhumitha and Vaishnavi. She collaborated with Shankar in Jeans after she had been unable to work with him in Indian (1996).

Now, let's go to the scenes I want to address.

Being different doesn't mean being unequal. Certainly Ramu and Visu would have different personalities, aptitudes, likes, and dislikes. So, I am unable to digest Nachiappan's logic that if he gets his identical twin sons different clothes even, it would create inequality and separation.

Equality is about understanding and embracing diversity and inclusion. IDK, maybe these fundamentals weren't so overreaching in the 90s. Raising sons and daughters equally doesn't mean giving them the same clothes and stuff. It's about understanding their differences and providing equal opportunities that align with their distinct needs and wants.

In the flashback, Pechiappan pays undue respect to  Nachiappan, calling him God. Where's equality here? Conversely, Ramu and Visu are equal as brothers. Many elder brothers have God complex toward their younger brothers. Sundarambal's anger stems from this - she wants her husband to have equality in that house.

Maturity is when you realize Sundarambal is rightfully angry with how her husband is treated. The way Sundarambal says it might be flawed (Husband is God) and her harsh words at her co-sister are risque but she's 100% right. 

Indian parental authority on adult children's lives is the core of this entire movie. Although Nachiappan doesn't cite caste, family background, and status as the reason for rejecting Madhu, he still exerts his authority over his adult son's life - Indian parents think this is their right as they "sacrificed" everything to raise their children. 

Even after moving to America, Nachiappan's Indian parent mindset endured the years and culture shift. What his sons want are none of his concern. His sons must marry twin girls just like them because of one loss in his life. What is the use in raising his sons without any differences when his authoritarian beliefs stop one of his sons from marrying the love of his life?

Yes, the inept Pechiappan might suffer back in India. And the successful Nachiappan might not be able to help him because of Sundarambal's odiousness. But both Ramu and Visu are in better circumstances - they are studying medicine. In what logic does Nachiappan think that if his sons marry women from different families, they'll separate and suffer?

I have two identical twin nieces. They have their share of disagreement and fights. They go without talking to each other for days. Both of them do the same with their younger brother and it's normal. The logos in Nachiappan's reason is very tenuous.

Ok, so if Pechiappan dies, Nachiappan would follow suit? If Ramu dies, must Visu die too? What if Visu was Visalachi and Ramu was Rakkamma? Would Nachiappan search for identical twin grooms so his daughters won't get separated? Do you see the patriarchy here?

Nachiappan's reason for opposing Visu and Madhu's marriage is rooted in patriarchy. In Indian families, brothers must stay together even after marriage - many Indian movies have been taken in this concept, from Hum Saath Saath Hain, Anandham, Samudhiram, to the ongoing Ethirneechal Tamil serial. The women the brothers marry are blamed if a rift happens between them. That's what Jeans affirms. No one talks about sisters being separated coz "women will be married and sent to their husbands' place." 

Nachiappan denies his adult son's agency over his life and wishes. It's all about his beliefs and wishes - he decides - his adult son complies - end of story. This is toxic and I dare say that Indian parents are the reason for many breakups among Indian youth.

Spineless adult children who are unable to stand up for themselves and assert that their lives are not their parents' to decide. At least Ramu eventually calls a spade a spade and confronts Pechiappan who is in the guise of Nachiappan. 

Adult children are unfortunately trapped in being indebted to their parents. Years of Indian parents guilt tripping their children has left them incapable of making a strong decision against their parents' wishes. 

Madhumita's family and Madhumita herself is a whole green planet. The lengths Madhu and her family go just so she can marry the man she loves is amazing and exemplary. I admit, it is unfair for Ramu but if Nachiappan wasn't so hellbent about his irrational familial principles, Ramu needn't be a victim.

Krishnaveni needn't lie if Nachiappan was half as sensible as she is and cared about his children's happiness as she does her granddaughter's.

Nachiappan is progressive enough to ask Krishnaveni to dance. When she refuses, he pinpoints the problem with Indian women burying their desires in their hearts and says that American women do what they want in old age. But he never lets go of Indian parent toxicity.

 Conclusively, I have to give it to Nachiappan for leaving the country with two kids as a single parent, raising them single-handedly, and creating a comfortable life. But holding out his beliefs for so many years seem unwise especially after living in the US for 25 years.