With
precision
and
conviction,
director
GNR
Kumaravelan
has
poignantly
narrated
one
of
the
best
father-son
relationships
on
screen.
Out
of
a
handful
of
films
dealing
about
human
disabilities,
Haridas
undoubtedly
tops
the
list
for
not
being
preachy.
It
addresses
a
rapidly
growing
domestic
issue
with
subtlety
and
unparalleled
sensitivity.
One
might
not
find
this
film
entertaining
but
it's
unlikely
to
find
reasons
to
hate
it
either.
Sivadas,
a
fearless
cop
on
a
mission
inching
closer
to
nabbing
local
rowdy
Aadhi,
is
forced
to
leave
the
mission
after
he
takes
custody
of
his
autistic
son,
Haridas,
due
to
an
unfortunate
event.
While
the
rest
of
the
students
of
his
age
are
school-goers
and
can
speak
fluently,
Haridas
still
finds
it
extremely
difficult
to
mouth
a
single
word.
With
great
difficulty,
the
eight-year
old
boy
is
admitted
to
a
school
for
normal
kids.
Amudhavalli,
a
teacher
specialised
in
dealing
with
special
children,
is
handed
over
the
responsibility
of
Haridas.
Over
a
period
of
time,
he
and
his
teacher
develop
a
relationship
beyond
understanding.
Meanwhile,
a
visit
to
the
doctor
reveals
that
Haridas
is
not
a
disabled
child
but
a
special
one
who
needs
care
and
affection
more
than
sympathy.
As
the
father
spends
every
passing
minute
with
his
son,
he
comes
to
learn
about
what
he
likes
the
most.
What
did
the
father
discover
and
how
does
he
help
his
son
realise
his
dreams?
This
forms
the
rest
of
the
story.
Never
in
its
entire
running
time
does
Haridas
attempt
to
manipulate
its
characters
under
false
pretext.
It
doesn't
emotionally
hijack
the
audiences
with
its
narrative,
but
allows
one
and
all
to
slip
into
the
skin
of
the
character
Sivadas,
played
by
Kishore.
The
film
brings
to
the
fore
a
simple
question
-
If
you
were
a
father
of
a
similar
child,
what
would
you
do?
The
answer
to
this
question
is
in
the
film
and
the
brilliance
with
which
it
is
answered
needs
to
be
appreciated.
Continue
reading
the
review
on
the
slideshow...
Haridas
Review
Despite
being
mostly
emotional,
the
film
engages
audiences
by
striking
a
perfect
balance
between
the
two
sub-plots
--
father-son
relationship
and
hunt
for
Aadhi.
Kishore
was
a
righteous
police
officer
before
a
doting
father
and,
therefore
even
as
he
spends
most
of
his
time
with
his
son,
he
keeps
track
of
the
developments
of
the
case.
Haridas
Review
He
personally
gets
involved
when
one
of
his
associates
goes
missing
without
a
trace.
The
director
has
handled
this
part
with
such
deftness
that
it's
nearly
impossible
to
highlight
flaws.
On
the
contrary,
the
climax,
which
may
or
may
not
work
in
favour
of
the
film,
may
draw
mixed
responses
but
it's
debatable.
Haridas
Review
The
film's
strength
is
the
characters
and
their
performances.
Kishore,
popularly
known
for
his
villain
roles,
stuns
everybody
with
his
performance
as
dutiful
cop
and
ever
loving
father.
The
varied
emotions
he
expresses
in
the
two
different
roles
are
proof
to
his
calibre.
Sneha
manages
to
impress
in
her
role
as
an
enthusiastic
teacher
while
the
young
boy
as
Haridas
is
inspiring.
Haridas
Review
The
film
does
appear
a
tad
slow
occasionally,
but
on
the
whole
doesn't
fail
to
arouse
interest.
The
narrative
does
appear
stretched
and
had
the
director
excluded
two
songs,
it
would
have
made
an
impact.
Nevertheless,
it
is
an
effort
that
is
sure
to
attract
lot
of
attention
from
the
mass.
Haridas
Review
Rathnavelu's
cinematography
is
top
notch
and
his
best
is
brought
forth
in
the
song
'Annaiyin
Karuvil...' while
Vijay
Anthony's
music
is
partly
good.
Haridas
is
definitely
a
whiff
of
fresh
air.