With Rati's Anusuya, there are two kinds of standout scenes.
One, where she scores by her sheer presence, ie because her looks and her aura fit the scene like a glove.
Here, I would include the whole of her introductory scenes, whuch were all extremely good in their way. She was clearly no ordinary blushing beauty, but a very strong woman capable of physical derring do as well. Her rescuing that kid was a case in point. None of these scenes would have stretched Rati as an actress, but she brought the essence of Anusuya alive vividly.
Then there are the scenes to which she brings her skills as a performer, to make them what the script alone cannot make them.
Here my favourite is the Punarmilan scene with Puru, which I loved so much that I devoted a whole post to it.
Another was the scene of her and Bamni in the prison, stretching out to touch each other's fingertips in a near sublime act of communion. With a less skilled actress, that scene would have become maudlin.
Yet another the bit where she learns from little Malay that Puru has not been drowned, but is alive. The eyes widen in shock and relief, and then comes the smile, topping a little choke in the throat, riding on a surging tide of unexpected happiness. It was a mini version of the Punarmilan.
And of course it doesn't hurt that she is beautiful, especially without all the chamak dhamak!
Oh, I must not forget the grace, the speed, and the flexibility with which she fights, better than almost all the men in this show.
Shyamala Di
