Jai Bhim

Jai Bhim and Vetrimaaran’s award-winning film Visaranai have much in common. Both these films are primarily about police brutality and corruption. Jai Bhim also talks about caste-based discrimination, and it doesn’t try to sugar-coat things in the process. One of the highlights of Jai Bhim are the courtroom sequences which have been shot in the most realistic fashion. Suriya brings earnestness in his performance and plays the role of a lawyer with a lot of maturity, ensuring that his star image never comes in the way. It’s Manikandan, who leaves you stunned with a gut-wrenching performance. Most of his scenes are shot in the interrogation room and he brings out the helplessness of his character effectively. Lijomol Jose as the lone woman standing against system that is rigged against her, is one of the best casting choices in recent times in Tamil cinema.

Director Tha Se Gnanavel deserves a standing ovation for Jai Bhim. Considering the present situation in India, Jai Bhim comes as a hard-hitting tale not just about the Irular community but also about every marginalised community across India. Without glorifying unnecessary elements, Gnanavel has dealt with this script with utmost sensibility. Despite having Suriya as the ‘hero', it is Sengeni who takes the cake. Suriya and his character Chandru is an ally to the oppressed. He only tries to help them with the case after hearing about the injustice meted out to them. When Rajakannu and his relatives are tortured in jail, every beating they get will make you shudder. And the agonizing wails of Sengeni will move you to tears. Jai Bhim also forces you to think about how your silence has enabled caste discrimination and oppression.

It’s the only way I can get a good night’s sleep,

Suriya feels natural and very comfortable in the role of a firebrand advocate. It is as if he’s not just performing the lines written by the director, but he really believes in every word and gesture he delivers in this film.