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[S.Balaji]

The best movie of Gemini Ganesan . Truly a class performance . Before this, Kalyanaparisu had already seen the Kadhal Mannan giving a heart wrenching performance …The Babu character undergoes a total shift ..from being a happy go lucky college guy to a sacrificial family member who gives away everything for the benefit of the family……An outstanding portrayal deserving the highest recognition…..The magnificence of Gemini’s style is that will be so natural…. The conversation that he enters into never sounds bookish….dialogue delivery will be so casual which gives us a feeling of coming across somebody in our day to day life…….a diametrically opposite approach to screen presence in comparison with his illustrious peers Sivaji Ganesan or MGR….Basically , he is not from the drama background which really helped him set his own agenda of expressing emotions…..but for some historical portrayals in Thiruvarutchelvar, Veerapandiya kattabomman …a majority of characters were typical Geminiish…. His subdued mode brought a refreshing change to the tinsel world……..

In Sumaithangi, he starts as a cheery youngster with invigorating appeal but slowly gets into sequence of issues, sacrifices, shoulders dropped , pale and looks like a vegetable …those scenes when he is in search of peace of mind, he appears like a saint as if attained renunciation …the customary warmth and conviction when he cedes the job to his brother… an affectionate brother to L.V…. an epitome of an ideal member of the joint family…displaying superfluity of emotions…….

Couple of scenes which really touched my heart …….When Balaji offers a job to him which Muthuraman requests to give him….another scene is when Muthuraman pleads for pardoning having uttered a casual remark that someone is always having a free meal …Gemini , with all the warmth and affection of a brother simply absorbs and tearfully forgives Muthuraman by saying some comforting words…..

The climax is ultimate….while Devika will shriek….. Babuuuuu , he will look enlightened , free from material attachments , just pause for a brief moment , a glance at Devika and others , gives a notion of a stranger and slowly tread along with the group of Clerics without any emotion …stupendous performance…..

I would say that this “ Babu ” role is tailor made for Gemini …One just cannot imagine any other actor coming close to reaching the standards of Gemini in this movie…

This performance by Gemini Ganesan is a real classic , an epic show

[Ram]

Dear Balaji..

Beautiful narrations of different aspects of an ALL TIME CLASSICS of the Tamil Film Industry - Sumai Thaangi

Great story, direction, characterization, music and what not !!!

As you have described, Gemini's performance would have been terrific in the movie. What I like is the most is his transition from a bubbling romantic youth to a person who sacrifices everything for the family and finally becomes austere.

My favourites too....

Unable to wait for your narration on MUSIC in SUMAI THAANGI !!!
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Ramkumar