Kannammaa Writes

  One line review: The acting is MASS but the characterization is PISS. 1. "A woman must behave like a woman." Nah. Patience, anger, self-control, haste - these are all HUMAN, not WOMANLY or MANLY. It's maddening to see that, even 25 years later, Padayappa's advice to Neelambari on how she should behave is widely accepted as "normal." Humans (men and women) display a spectrum of emotions and actions - good and bad. What all of us must do is try to be better today than we were yesterday. 2. Rejecting a woman because she's not "woman enough." Grouping Neelambari's flaws as "manly" speaks volumes about how society lets men behave badly while restricting women. Padayappa could've rejected Neelambari because of incompatibility issues. But no, he had to take a dig at her "lack of womanliness." Neelambari too - could've chosen better. A man who mansplains how women should be isn't a catch, or manly for that matter. ...

  I am not triggered by Aan Paavam Polladhadhu - I just pity the makers who think they did right by their target audience and those who think its stellar. Let's dive right into the elements that makes this movie a false representation of what feminism stands for and what is considered "men's rights." 1. Women following traditions (wearing the nuptial thread) are "men's rights." Tradition isn't the responsibility of only a certain section of the human population. If some people can choose whether or not to follow tradition, so can everyone. Many oppressive traditions have been scrapped from practice - culture and tradition are created by humans for humans. If the tradition no longer serves the current, transformed circumstance - it must be dismantled. 2. Women wearing elders' approved dressing and sitting position are "men's rights." Weird, because our elders also have the mindset that men must be providers - this movie vehemently op...

  One line review of The Girlfriend: If shame is different for men and women - IT'S TIME TO EQUALIZE. First of all, I'd like to commend Rahul Ravindran: a man who made a movie from women's perspective. I think Chinmayi and her experience made an impact on him and that birthed this movie. If Chinmayi introduced Bell Hooks in an interview, Rahul introduced Virginia Woolf - both are feminist writers.  1. It's nice to see Rashmika Mandanna actually given the scope to perform after all the flower pot roles she essayed. What I liked most is the character progression of Bhooma Devi: though it made me impatient and I wanted to shake Bhoo into reality about Vikram, I understood that change isn't immediate. And the breaking point of being betrayed by two men she trusted... felt real - every woman would've felt that in life. 2. Protector and lover only until it serves them. This is something women have long known. Vikram says that it's not the way to behave at women (r...

It'd be weird to hear that I watched Dragon in tears. But that's the truth.  Let's explore the injustices and hypocrisies that I couldn't stand in this movie, one that everyone is praising. My mom was like, "Adhepdi ivanuku poiyi ivlo azhagana ponnunga kidaikuthu?" (How come a lowlife like him gets the "most beautiful" ladies? The only constant in Dragon's life is "pretty girls." I am following conventional beauty standards and age old Tamil cinema pairing of men who are "not good-looking" with "good-looking" women. He got and wanted only the "hottest" women when he was studious, useless brat, successful cheater, and a human with bare minimum qualities.  What's so great about realizing one's mistakes, coming clean, and not ruining another person's life? It's the bare minimum! Basic quality! Why do we keep glorifying men who only pass the bare minimum? Women have to turn men around for the be...

 I once told a friend that I wouldn't judge anyone who has casual sex. But I'd judge him hard if he didn't dispose his used condoms properly. That unusual wisecracking encapsulates my overall opinion on Kadhalikka Neramillai's plot. But I need to do justice to all the other aspects Kadhalikka Neramillai explored, amid the weeps of culture vulture, claiming that Indian culture is degenerating to western, morally corrupt wokeism. So... here goes! 1. The portrayal that gay people (Sethuraman, essayed by Vinay Rai) aren't always looking for sex is trailblazing - they are capable of friendship, and other platonic relationships. Finally, the "Avana nee" (So, you're gay?) scene has been vanquished - by a woman director. Kiruthiga vindicated the long overdue stigma on gays portrayed in Tamil movies. She's also realistic about it. Gowda (Yogi Babu) represents the struggle Indians face in accepting change. Methuva tha varuvan. (He will come around slowly.)  ...