Marina

“Marina” (2012) was written, produced and directed by the filmmaker Pandiraj and it is a children's comedy drama film in Tamil. Features Pakkada Pandi, Gautham Purushoth, Sivakarthikeyan, and Oviya, The film tells the story of Ambikapathy, a young boy who flees to Chennai and starts selling snacks on Marina Beach, pursuing his ambition to get an education.

Ambikapathy runs away from his uncle’s house and makes it all the way to Chennai. On his own, abandoned and homeless, he starts an independent life at Marina Beach selling water packets and later roasted chickpeas. His reserved disposition and inner fortitude should make him a leader and earn him the respect of the other working codgers on the beach. Ambikapathy, much unlike his father, aspires to go to school and begins educating himself with borrowed books at midnight. Gradually, his dreams earned him the respect of making education more meaningful to other fellows like him. An old man and an idealistic postman turn into the guardians and mentors of these wronged kids who live on the street, observing their heartbreaking journey and redeeming efforts.

As Ambikapathy and the other kids struggle to improve their circumstances, the movie chronicles the place where Senthilnathan and Swapnasundari, a young couple that often rendezvous at the beach, discover each other. Their love story provides a whimsical counterpoint to the children’s everyday struggles. Through the layers of family life and amateur seashore psychology, the beach turns into a subject of hope, friendship, desires and survival. Although he is met with a great deal of scepticism, as Ambikapathy is often in serious situations, Ambikapathy’s persistence pays off, and his optimism starts to spread to those around him in a refreshing way, bringing about subtle yet profound change.

“Marina” is a fascinating story imbued with innocence, humour, and reality. With warmth and sensitivity, Pandiraj spins a beautiful, simple story about life for street kids. Between the four of them, we start to learn more about what motivates these child actors, especially Pakkada Pandi, who deliver natural, touching performances that are the very hardest to pull off. It deservedly won the Tamil Nadu State Film Awards in 1993, for Best Dialogue Writing and for a Special Jury Award.