The one in which Paruthiveeran, after tattooing his name next to his lover's on his chest, reaches for a peacock feather and caresses it, is memorable. There are several great cinematic moments and inventions. There is an inner tension between freedom and love (independence and belonging) and the tragic but inevitable way they conflict with each other.
Both characters are not generic, they surprise us with their decisions and choices. It ends, perhaps appropriately, and very typical of Tamil folk stories and cinema (Kaadhal for example), in shocking tragedy. This is a love that cannot be, but also cannot be stopped.
In a way, both have to sacrifice their freedom (and therefor themselves). Once Paruthiveeran falls in love with Muthagalu, everything changes. But there was caste inter-marriage, and so, Paruthiveeran is considered unsuitable. They are, in fact, cross-cousins, and so, in a way (according to rural custom), should marry. Priyamani plays Muthagalu, a stubborn, free minded, educated girl who is in love with him. Karthik plays Paruthiveeran, a low-class orphan who is used to being a free personality, doing whatever he likes without any concern for custom or law. With remarkable photography and great performances by the main actors.
