36 Vayadhinile

In many ways, 36 Vayadhinile is closer in spirit to Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish. Both are feel-good films that mark the comeback of a beloved actress (Sridevi there, Jyotika here). Both the films talk about empowerment, especially of middle-aged women. If Shashi of English Vinglish is a housewife who supports her family by being an entrepreneur (who makes laddoos), Vasanthi (Jyotika) goes to a job to share the financial burden of running a family. Both these characters become an embarrassment of sorts for their teenaged daughters. Both are forced to look inward only when they become truly alone — if Shashi has to go to the US on her own, here, Vasanthi is left behind by her husband and daughter. Both gain confidence when someone from the past comes into their life; if it was a niece for Shashi, it is a friend for Vasanthi. And both earn the trust of their family by succeeding on their own terms.

But Vasanthi is also different from Shashi. For one, she isn't demure like the latter and can be wily — even if it is only to get a seat in the bus. Sure, the life of this 36-year-old, mega serial-loving, working woman revolves around her husband Tamizhselvan ( Rahman) and teenaged daughter Mithula ( Amritha), but at work, she is every bit the typical paper-pusher one might find in government offices. She is a clerk in the revenue department who goes late to office; doesn't mind delaying files; rags her junior colleague; and, indulges in boasting contests with another colleague; in short, she is an everywoman.

Her husband has been trying to move to Ireland for a better quality of life and her daughter, too, is excited about studying abroad. But Vasanthi is rejected in the job interview because she is old for the job (that she yawns during the interview doesn't help).

And, one day, she learns that the president of the country, who is on a visit to the city, wants to meet her, after learning that she is the inspiration behind the impressive question posed by he...