Jaladhara Pumpset Since 1962

Sitting through this movie was one of the toughest experiences I've had. The storyline felt like it was lifted straight from a moral studies textbook. If you've seen a drama or play, imagine that style translated into film.

The writers aimed to highlight the slow processing of the Indian judicial system, but they chose a flimsy plot and stretched it thin.

In the story, Mani (Indrans) is caught trying to steal a motor pump from Mrinalini (Urvashi) and Chandran's (Vijayaraghavan) home. Mrinalini wants to let him go, but Chandran insists that people should face the consequences of their actions. Even after Chandran's death, Mrinalini pursues the case to uphold her husband's principles, while the court continually postpones hearings.

To illustrate the struggles caused by this slow process, the filmmakers attempted to inject humor, which reminded me of stage plays. Unfortunately, the comedy felt outdated, similar to early 2000s skits. Almost every scene featured a background score that felt like a play/drama. The subplot involving Mrinalini's daughter and her helper fell flat, only adding to the film's length. TG Ravi had one decent scene, but poor execution made it cringeworthy. It was painfully obvious that the sets were made-up, particularly the canteen.

As the film neared its conclusion, frustration mounted as Mrinalini's decisions seemed utterly illogical.

Even Urvashi couldn't save this film. Perhaps older audiences might find it passable, but I definitely wouldn't recommend wasting time on it.