Every once in a while, a movie comes along that makes it hard for you to write a review. Maybe, because that movie has the same cathartic effect on you that writing brings.
Bharatham is one such movie. As a retelling of the Ramayan, focusing purely on the relationship between two brothers, it is a contemporary story set in a classical musician's joint family.
The elder brother, aptly titled Raman, is an acclaimed carnatic singer. He has recently become an alcoholic, which starts affecting his kacheri performances. His younger brother, Gopi aka Bharat, accompanies him on the veena.
During one such kacheri, Raman is not able to sing as he's drunk more than usual. Then, Gopi has to sing on his behalf. This makes him an instant hit in the carnatic music world.
Raman becomes increasingly jealous of Gopi even though he loves him. Thus, begins a journey towards self-discovery, redemption, and exchange of their familial roles.
Raman stops Gopi from ending his singing career, watches his brother's performance at Thyagaraja Music Festival, and leaves on a pilgrimage without telling anybody. Here, the flawed elder brother goes on a pilgrimage (as praaischitam) leaving the younger one to take care of his samsara.
While Gopi searches for his Raman's whereabouts, he comes to know that Raman had died in a road accident during his pilgrimage.
He comes home with a heavy heart to inform everybody at home about this news but sees that they have received a letter written by Raman before his death!
Now, they are all happy and preparing for the wedding... He does not reveal the news. What happens after this is the crux of the movie, where Gopi starts donning his elder brother's role in the family. At least for a few days. He is burning inside and cannot reveal the truth. The mute younger sister's wedding is imminent.
What happens when the truth is revealed is the climax... making it one of the best endings in any movie I have seen.
There are filler scenes here aplenty. Multiple reaction shots. And even those make you wonder how anybody can act like that. Mohanlal reveals his mastery over the craft in such movies... I think, Sibi Malayil gets the best out of him. Kireedam, Chenkoil (the often under-rated sequel to Kireedam), and Bharatham are movies that every cinema lover should devour for you can learn a lot from these.
The music and songs gives you goosebumps. Especially, Rama katha ganalayam...
Watching this movie again, made me cry. Again.
