Even though I am a North-Indian by birth Joseph Vijay (Illaya Thalapathy) and Vijay Sethupathy are a few of my favorite actors from Kollywood. Both do a fine job of engaging with human issues and emotions. So, when the Tamil movie Master was set to come out, I was super excited. The movie Master has been up for about 50 days now. I have watched it twice myself – only twice owing to my work. It has been rewarding to go through the film over and over again. So, I hope that as I share my learnings from watching this movie, you as the reader will also engage as you consume them.
The Plot
Bhavani is a local Don and ‘wannabe politician’ heading an empire comprising of illegal trucking, meat businesses, booze, and drug peddling. To cover it all up, he uses youngsters at a government reformatory – powered by free food, drugs, and booze. Then there’s JD who is the unconventional professor at a renowned college, an alcoholic he is famous among students, and at loggerheads with other staff – even the principal. What do both have in common? Intolerance for hurdles, a life numbed by the past – a solo life. JD and Bhavani meet when JD is appointed the “Master” to the reformatory and two of the inmates are murdered under his watch. The stage is then set for a mirror match between these two. The remaining characters are just switches for their brawls to flow through in full force, set to Anirudh’s music. Though a “mass entertainer,” the movie subtly puts forward brilliant lessons to learn – in words left unsaid, in song bits and in the emotions portrayed by some characters.
The Mass song “Kutti Story”
As a city dweller, it is interesting to see JD bring in his view of life to the youngsters at the reformatory with this Tanglish song. Phrases like: “Life is very short” “Always be happy” “Problems will come and go” are laden with privilege from city life. I wonder if youngsters in the song merely danced to the tune and the beat. The murder of two inmates turns JD’s philosophy on its head. He realizes that not only does it not apply to them, but it is also far from the truth. His past also is brought into introspection. I realized that the song though inspirational is a cloud that does not hold water. Perhaps, we need to check when our philosophy turns such.
Hearing but not listening
We have probably come across people talking about the difference between hearing and listening. But to see it played out in a movie is a lesson to stay. It is pure genius how JD introduces the concept in one of his “personality development” classes. He talks about how parents and children do not listen to each other, the government (unsaid) does not listen to the people, and how it is followed by characters that struggle when people do not listen to them.
Most people around JD do not know the reason for his alcoholism and disorganization. They have not taken the time to listen to him. So, he ends up telling them a movie plot each time – spiralling repeatedly into superficial living. Only the female lead is bold enough to confront him and listen to him.
Bhavani, I realized is a product of people not listening to him. His pain is repressed, his emotions are suppressed, and his needs are turned down. He is turned away from speaking the truth – in the opening scene. The repercussions are staggering.
Students at the college are ready to risk their college’s reputation for JD’s presence – even when he is suspended. We are told he is the only one who listens to them and gives himself to their cause. Youngsters at the reformatory are singing this lament to the murder of their friends: “Tharuthala kadharuna, Ketkuma ketkuma?” (When bullies cry will they be heard?). I think that sealed it. We all want to be heard, and so I ask myself Why be sensitive? Why listen? Maybe because people have intrinsic worth?
Master spelled out two things loud and clear to me. Be sensitive to people and take time to listen to them. Listen, because when you hear someone out it may help them more than you think.
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