Ramanujan Tamil Movie Review
Ramanujan is a Tamil movie about the life of the famous mathematician (of the same name). I went to see this movie in the Abirami complex today just to see how they have filmed a subject like this. I mean, how do you explain what a mathematician has achieved? As expected, they didn’t go much into the math concepts – which would have been difficult for viewers to decipher anyway – but they concentrate more on the significant events in his life.
Let’s admit that filming a simple story of a mathematician who went from Kumbakonam to Cambridge during the pre-Independence days is a huge challenge. I mean, it’s not possible to dramatize the events beyond a point, and you cannot exactly explain the highlight of his career – his contributions in mathematics!
But instead, they’ve shown everything else – how life was during those days, their beliefs, how a simple man passionate about numbers struggles to make a living but is still adamant about continuing his research, how the relationship between him and his family played a crucial part, how people around him helped without expecting anything in return (including the British), etc.
At some places, they’ve dramatized his life and those scenes were surprisingly interesting. The story itself was like a documentary, but a well made documentary. The romance seems out of place (for this movie), and they’ve somehow managed Englishmen speaking in Tamil in a realistic way. They’ve reproduced the period setting quite well – both in England and India. They’ve also used the appropriate Tamil slang, which gives us a feel of the period setting.
Ramanujan was a mathematical genius. He became one without formal training and had to struggle throughout to achieve what he did. I guess it’s the same with all geniuses. In fact, the character even wonders why society encourages averegism and places so many obstacles in the path of geniuses – it’s a valid question and something to ponder about.
This movie also talks about how passion can make all the difference. In spite of all the odds, Ramanujan’s passion for numbers kept him number crunching until his last breath. Literally!
I think a book can do more justice to a subject like this. There is one – I’ll try to read it sometime. The movie is fine – just don’t expect gripping suspense, masala or action! If you like literary fiction, you’ll like this movie. I think there is an English version of this movie as well.
It’s amazing to see how many leading stars from Tamil cinema have acted in such an offbeat movie. Nice tribute to a great man!
Destination Infinity
There is a museum about Ramanujam in Chennai Royapuram. Please go visit that place some time. It is super cool. Also if you get a chance download The Steradian Trail in your Kindle. It is about how Ramanujam developed an algorithm for Travelling Salesman Problem.. Interesting read it is 🙂
I will definitely check out that museum and the book. Thanks for the info 🙂
Destination Infinity
I recognised many cinema faces here! Let me try to go to the theatre to watch this movie, just for the sake of this great scientist.
Yes, the movie may not be all that gripping but his life story is definitely worth watching and knowing.
Destination Infinity
Excellent review! I think the film portrayed the then period well
They had taken a lot of care to portray the pre-first world war period very well. The credit should go to the filmmakers for that.
Destination Infinity
Good to know they have it in English. I will try to get hold of this movie. I loved the book a lot. There is a hindi movie coming out too, probably next year or so.
I need to read that book – I am quite afraid of reading scientific books, I fear I may not understand them!
Destination Infinity
I liked the movie.It tells about Ramanujan the person rather than Ramanujan the Mathematician.Definitely worth watching.
I read the book The steradian trail, turned out to be an easy read.
Ramanujan is the common factor so guys enjoy the movie and the book.