FILM REVIEW | NESAM
Title: ‘Nesam’ (Tamil)
Cast: Vadivukkarasi, Rajasekar, John Paul
Cinematography: Nagakrishnan
Music: Gandhidass
Story, screenplay and direction: J Ramesh
By Robin Sam
THE first time I met Johnny Ramesh was at the preview of his film ‘Vedha’. The film shot in Tamil was dubbed into other languages and did good business in the DVD circuit, thanks to some aggressive marketing. ‘Vedha’ was critically acclaimed too. It got Ramesh the Best Director award from Galilean International. Almost two years later, he has come up with ‘Nesam’ which he has scripted and directed. When a friend gave me a DVD of the film, I viewed the film along with my family. My three-year-old son Steve, who is loathe to watching anything on TV except his favorite cartoon channels nestled beside me and watched the film without moving a muscle, well almost! Although the opening scenes of the film seemed a little confusing in delineating the relationship between the protagonists, the film picked up pace and wrapped up the story quite nicely. Some of the scenes in the film left a lump in my throat. My daughter Sandy who has picked up some of my critiquing traits looked a little overwhelmed when I asked her if she liked the film. Obviously, she had liked it.
‘Nesam’ tells the story of Grace amma, a well-to-do Christian widow who shows Christ-like love to all those she comes across. Be it the domestic maid or a village preacher or her own tenants, Grace amma has a kind word or deed to offer. She becomes the voice of the illiterate maid by helping her write a letter. To the village preacher, she becomes a supporter who gives him copies of Bible and money. To her tenants, she is a mother who nurses them in sickness and counsels them out of marital strife. Veteran actor Vadivukkarasi essays the role of Grace amma with quiet dignity and elan. She carries the film well on her strong shoulders along with Rajasekar, a Tamil film director of repute. The film is based on Mark 12:31 where Jesus tells a teacher of the law about the most important commandment. The greatest of all commandments, Jesus says is to love the Lord your God with all your mind, and with all your strength. However, as if to gauge the level of love one has towards God, Jesus adds, ‘The second is this: Love your neighbor as yourself.’ In demonstrating how Grace amma lives out the commandment, ‘Nesam’ offers the audience a peek into the outrageous love mankind has ever known – that of Jesus Christ on the Calvary.
Through some deft characterization, intelligent screenplay and natural albeit subtle dialogues, what Johnny Ramesh achieves is not only communicate the love of Christ to his audience but also dispel any misgivings the viewers may have about Christians, the Bible and the church. I think the biggest achievement of the director with respect to this film is although the film conveys the good news in Christ, it never sounds a tad preachy. Although the plot is simple enough to be written behind a matchstick box cover, there is never a dull moment in the film. In its own unhurried way, the film shows how Grace amma wins souls for Christ without overtly exerting herself or wearing Christianity on her sleeves. The scene where the elderly tenant, played brilliantly by director Rajasekar, cooks upma to an unwell Grace amma and gets enlightened on various issues pertaining to life, living and the Bible, although not exactly avant-garde, is a master stroke that reminds one of the K Balachander touch.
The film shot on DV Cam sure has its shortcomings but when you consider the fact that it was produced on a measly four lakh rupee budget and wrapped up in five days, this is perhaps the best that such shoestring ‘sub-budget’ films can offer. ‘Nesam’ moves the hearts and points to the Master!
‘Nesam’ may not be in ‘The Passion of the Christ’ league but it is the Indian equivalent of American Christian dramas like ‘Facing the giants’ and ‘Fireproof’ written and directed by Alex Kendrick. In that respect, Johnny Ramesh deserves a standing ovation. Ladies and gentlemen, put your hands together now…
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Robin Sam is the founding editor of The Christian Messenger magazine. A journalist with over 16 years of experience, he has worked with The Indian Express, Sify.com and Yahoo! besides several other publications. He quit his job in 2008 to get into full-time media ministry. You can contact him at editor [at] christianmessenger [dot] in
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