Mouna Raagam (1986)

What I loved most about Mani saar's masterpiece Mouna Raagam was how it was a collection of all my favourite romance tropes done exceptionally well. There was not one twist or turn that didn't hook me even further to the story, and the way Mohan looked at Revathi had me melting everytime. As for Revathi, she was just flawless. I wanted to know every thing that went through Divya's head, I wanted to sit down for a cup of coffee with her and talk to her about everything under the sun. Damnit, I would have shown her around Delhi and taken her to all my favourite spots. The way Revathi plays the role, it is hard not to fall in love with Divya. No wonder everyone calls it one of the best performances of her already distinguished career.

For once, I don't really have any complaints with Mani saar. I mean, I'm sure I do, but I was so taken by the romance and with Ilaiyaraaja's music that all the "problematic" bits just didn't register with me. I only wish we had a deeper insight into how exactly Divya started falling in love with Chandrakumar. My guess is that she felt so comforted by his acceptance and lack of judgement towards her that she could see herself living her life with him. A proper explanation would have been nice though.

In conclusion, I just want to say that it will take me a long time to get over the way Mohan looked at Revathi in this movie. Lowkey want to watch all his movies as a consequence, that's how much it affected me. Or at least, his only other movie (to my knowledge) with Revathi, December Pookkal. 

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