Watch Aelay

Aelay is a 2021 Indian Tamil-language coming-of-age drama film. The movie is directed by Halitha Shameem and produced by S.Sashikanth and co-produced by Ramachandra in association with Reliance Entertainment. The film features Manikandan K. as the male lead alongside Madhumathi and Samuthirakani in pivotal roles. The story of Aelay revolves around the strong bond shared between a grandfather and his grandson. The film beautifully depicts the emotions and the struggles of a boy named Kishore (Manikandan K) from a rural village near Trichy, Tamil Nadu. The film starts with the depiction of Kishore's family's disinterest in education and his love for art instead. Kishore, who aspires to become a painter, initially struggles to pursue his passion due to family pressures to study and focus on academics.

The movie then shifts its focus towards Kishore's relationship with his grandfather, known as Chidambaram (Samuthirakani). High-spirited and carefree at heart, Chidambaram is deeply fond of his grandson but also disapproves of his ambitions of becoming a painter. Kishore and Chidambaram's relationship is the backbone of the movie, as the two share an inseparable bond throughout the film.

The film also features Madhumathi, who plays the role of Kishore's love interest, Sudha. The chemistry between Kishore and Sudha has been portrayed in a very endearing manner. Their innocent love story acts as a beautiful contrast to Kishore's troubled relationship with his family.

One of the most notable aspects of Aelay is the cinematography. The beautiful rural landscapes of Tamil Nadu have been captured in their full glory, with the camera work effectively emphasizing the emotional quotient of the film. The film’s background score is equally noteworthy and beautifully complements the onscreen narration.

The movie also touches upon several social issues like the importance of education and the impact of societal pressure on people's lives. However, the film's primary focus remains on Kishore's story and his journey towards pursuing his passion while navigating through the pressures from society and his family. The film portrays this struggle beautifully, without being overly preachy or melodramatic.

The writing and direction of the movie have been done exceptionally well, with the film's pacing being spot on. The movie manages to keep the viewer engaged throughout its runtime, with a good balance between emotional moments and lighthearted ones. The film’s climax is an emotional one that leaves a lasting impact on the viewers.

In terms of acting, Manikandan K's performance as Kishore is noteworthy. His portrayal of the character is sincere and relatable, with the actor effectively conveying the internal conflicts of his character throughout the film. Samuthirakani, as the grandfather, delivers a stellar performance and manages to evoke both laughter and tears from the viewers. Madhumathi, in her role as Sudha, does justice to her character and displays great chemistry with Manikandan K.

Overall, Aelay is a heartwarming film that beautifully depicts the struggles and relationships of a rural Tamil family. The film's honest portrayal of societal pressures and the importance of chasing one's passion makes it a must-watch. With exceptional performances, beautiful cinematography, and great writing, Aelay is a film that is sure to stay with viewers for a long time.

Aelay is a 2021 comedy with a runtime of 2 hours and 33 minutes. It has received mostly positive reviews from critics and viewers, who have given it an IMDb score of 7.0.