Plot and Summary :
Aarilirunthu Arubathu varai (From 6 to 60) is a Tamil Melodrama directed by S.P.Muthuraman. It is one of the films by Rajinikanth in which he dons a different role , from his usual entertainer's role. The film proves to be a turning point of Rajinikanth's career where he proved he is also capable of offbeat films. Director S.P. Muthuraman has a long history with Rajinikanth, one could say that he has molded Rajini's Career with many iconic films including " Sri Ragavendra" his 100th Film.
Santhanam (Rajinikanth) is the eldest son of the four to a Widow , He forgoes his education and joins a printing press to support the education of his two brothers and his younger sister. The film is basically the story of Santhanam ,What all hardship's he undertake to support his family only to be casted away by them when they have a life on their own. In the end what happens to him and his family members is the rest of the film.
AAV brings out all the Cliches one would ever see in any household in older times. The brother being selfless and cares only about his family's well being. The life of Santhanam goes from bad to worst through out the film, up until the very end. First his lover leaves him for a richer man in the office, then his brother and sister treat him very badly after they get to a good position. Santhanam in all these cases remains calm and accepts all his misfortunes with a smile. his marriage is one of the most cliched of all the scenes in the film. He doesn't even know who he is going to get married but eventually accepts since is getting 40 Rs as dowry, but gets cheated even in that case. But he loves his wife sincerely even though they live a poor life. His only friend is Cho who lends money and talks to him supportively in his bad times.
Santhanam's role in the film is of a tragic person who griefs in most scenes and has a depressing look in most of the film. Rajini's choice to do this at that point of time is to be appreciated, and it was a successful attempt as it won him many family audience. There is also a lot of cynicism and sarcasm in the film mainly when Cho comes in the scene. Santhanam finally moves to a slum when he looses his job in the printing press and his house gets burned down killing his wife. The turning point in the film is when he starts to write short stories which makes him a famous writer. All his brothers and sisters come to him when fame comes . Even their mannerism in the film is very artificial as though the director wants to tell us how artificial the world is. Santhanam becomes sort of a saint at the end living a life of a hermit devoid of desire and finally ascends to his wife.
Verdict:
Though is a tried and tested genre of the older days may be in the 1950-60s, It is quite different to see Rajini do such roles , reminds us of his days in Iru Kodukal. We can never expect any films like this ever in the current generation for many reasons, First the concepts of brotherly love and selflessness are long lost even for a lead character, rather leads with more negative shade are appreciated more in current films. Secondly even for an offbeat film , Melodrama is not a concept of choice for current filmmakers.
Coming to AAV, I would say one of the milestone films in Rajini's career and a good to watch if you can sustain the grieving the lead undergoes in the film and not expect him to rise out of anger which happens in most Tamil films nowadays,
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