Anandham-Syopsis&Review

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@Bonheur

Voyager

Posted: 17 years ago

ANANDHAM – SYNOPSIS AND REVIEW BY BONHEUR

Anandham is a family drama that has elements like business rivalry, murders and other intrigues typical of Tamil serials interwoven into it. It also has a sub-plot that features a love story. However, unlike the stereotypical Tamil tear-jerker, Anandham depicts successful, independent-minded women rather than women battered by husbands and mothers-in-law.

In spite of a meandering plot and many sub-plots that have riled viewers, Anandham's one key commendable element lies in characterization. Even the most vile of its characters are multi-dimensional and do have redeeming qualities. By occasionally peddling certain social values, Anandham also tries to prove that a serial can have some public good even as its main raison d'etre is entertainment and money-making. One such value that has been promoted is the unacceptability of spousal violence and the need to respect one's private space, even in a marital relationship. For instance, the character of Shyam is criticized for slapping his wife. He is also chided for having read mail addressed to her. Although such efforts to influence social values often veer towards preachiness, they are by and large refreshing.

The story …

The patriarch of the main family – Radhakrishnan or RK – is an eminent industrialist whose blissful existence is threatened by a series of events involving his four children. Much of the first part of the serial, launched some time in 2004, revolved around two of RK's daughters-in-law. Shanthi, a widow with a child and married to RK's second son, Karthik, is the quintessential do-gooder in the serial but much of her early days are consumed by her struggle to gain acceptance in the family. Her tribulations are multiplied by the other daughter-in-law in the family, Abhirami, who had hoped that Karthik would marry her younger sister. Abhirami had married into the RK family primarily to seek revenge on behalf of her late father, who had led her to believe that he had been wronged by RK in business.

Soon, eldest son Madhan, who had married Abhirami against his will, divorces her and marries his first love. And, slowly, RK begins to see Abhirami's true colours when she eventually strips his family of its wealth. The tragedy of losing his family home sends RK into an ashram, where his character begins to mellow. He reconciles with Shanthi, accepts Madhan's re-marriage and returns to re-build his family and business afresh.

A little more than a year into the serial, Abhirami, increasingly estranged from her more righteous brother and sister, discovers that she was an adopted child. Sangkarapandian (SKPD), a shady businessman, and Charulatha aka Muthulakshmi have been introduced as Abhirami's real parents, who were separated from the time Abhirami was a baby. Muthulakshmi left her husband after discovering that he had murdered someone for business gain. She lost her child while trying to save herself from pursuers sent by her husband and subsequently moved to Malaysia. She has now returned in a new avatar as the business magnate Charulatha. Abhirami meets with both SKPD and Charulatha in the course of business but none recognizes the other. Abhirami is now close to SKPD, who treats her almost like a daughter and was on the verge of adopting her when ….

… in an effort to penetrate SKPD's criminal circle, a spunky assistant commissioner of police gets a police detective to act as the long-lost daughter of SKPD and Charulatha.

As in every long-running serial, there are many sub-plots and supporting characters. Three such characters and one sub-plot stand out in Anandham. Kanduvetti, a shady money lender, adds a touch of humour with his distinctive drawl. The ageing bachelor is now on a massive hunt for a wife on the advice of a fortune-teller.

The other two characters who stand out are A C Durai (ACD, as his fans in India Forums affectionately refer to him) and Priya, and they star in the sub-plot that has grabbed viewers' attention. In fact, the character of ACD (played by the talented hunk Saakshi Sivaa) has moved centre-stage and is the sole source of anandham for thousands of female fans across the globe. He is a conscientious officer whose blind devotion to duty cost him the affections of Priya, who has now taken up residence with Shanthi, allowing for the seamless switch from the main story to the sub-plot. For nearly half a year since early 2007, fans were made to pine for a reconciliation between the estranged couple. Finally, on August 22, 2007, the producers humoured their viewers through a three-minute scene. The couple met unexpectedly at a restaurant, and after a few strained moments and a one-minute long-distance phone conversation with ACD's mother, they ended up – quite implausibly – sharing a gulab jamun and making up.

What remains now is for ACD to crack the criminal cases involving SKPD and several other bad hats, Abhirami's parentage to be revealed and the famous couple to tie the knot.

August 2007

Credits

Director ….………………………… Cheyar Ravie

Creative head ………………………

Music ……………………………… Kiran

Theme song ……………………….. Ramani Bharadwaj; performed by Chitra

Producers …………………………..

Cast

Shanthi …………………………….. Suganya

Abhirami …………………………….. Brinda Das

Asst Commissioner Durai …………………… Saakshi Sivaa

RK …………………………. Delhi Kumar