Movie Review: Kalyana Samayal Saadham (Tamil)

Like Shaadi Ke Side Effects, Kalyana Samayal Saadham revolves around a couple, but this wedding feast leaves you with a goofy grin plastered on your face, at the same time turning it into a thought-provoking comedy about erectile dysfunction. Being a Tam-Brahm myself and having taken part in numerous such weddings, the milieu is instantly relatable and treated with such a loving insider-knowingness (as Baradwaj Rangan puts) that I found myself immersed into the story right from the opening credits.

Combing through several matrimony websites, Meera's (Lekha Washington) parents find a match, horoscope and all, in software engineer Raghu (Prasanna). The engagement happens and the wedding preparations commence in full swing. Raghu and Meera, in the meanwhile, slowly get to know one another and just a month before the ceremony, decide to get intimate. And to Raghu's dismay, he realizes he can't get it up.

It's not just the clash of tradition, blind superstition and rituals that KSS takes an interesting look at, but also gives it a refreshing spin by throwing light on a sensitive subject like performance anxiety and erectile dysfunction without veering into vulgar or tacky. While I was surprised by the nonchalant attitude of Meera's father to Raghu's predicament, the director's light-hearted treatment guarantees generous chuckle-worthy moments right through the running time.

Both the lead characters mark a departure from the usual. If Meera makes it clear that sex is important in her life, Raghu is an antithesis of the macho Indian cinematic hero. And Lekha and Prasanna perform their parts with consummate ease as do the rest of the cast. Capturing the fun and frolic of a typical Tamil Brahmin wedding in its full glory, Kalyana Samayal Saadham is immensely likeable and an out-and-out laugh riot.