‘Alli Malarum Adhikaalai’ or ‘The Water Lily that blossoms early in the morning.’ Director Monish

The First Goa Short Film Festival was organised by Marathi Chitrapat Parivar from Pune and what an amazing array of movies there was, such a variety of topics touching virtually every subject of interest and relevance today, child rape, the ills and benefits of internet, loneliness, terrorism, education for girls, and many more. We were truly spoilt for choice.

‘Alli Malarum Adhikaalai’ or ‘The Water Lily that blossoms early in the morning.’

Director: Monish                                              Screenplay: Monish

Producer: Monish                                            Language: Tamil

This simple film turned out to be another prize winning entry.

Arun a young handsome newspaper delivery person goes about his rounds, carefree and happy with no thought beyond getting his newspapers delivered in perfect condition and on time. Things are just fine until one bright day just as he turns the corner he sees a beautiful college girl, wow he thinks and nudges his fellow worker, they both agree she is an Apsara sent from heaven to brighten his mornings. Arun follows her to the bus-stop. At this very same bus stop, an office goer, also struck by her beauty, vows to win her and marry her.

Suddenly there seems to be a stiff competition, although both the suitors are unaware of each other and sadly for the suitors the girl is absolutely unaware of both men.

Arun on his rounds accidentally bumps into the girl’s brother; this happy turn of events happens one morning when Arun delivering newspapers in the neighborhood sees his Apsara return home to pick up something she has forgotten, oh my God, this is the best piece of luck that could have happened to Arun. From then on Arun is there bright and early following the girl from a safe distance until he gets to her bus stop, a huge smile plastered on his face, and a devil-may-care attitude on his cycle. Life is really good. Meanwhile the suitor at the bus stop has his own plans. He will give the girl a gift and propose marriage. But fate can thwart the best laid plans...

The girl’s brother informs Arun, that he would no longer be requiring a newspaper as they are moving to Adyar a distant place.  Arun nearly falls off his bike; his heart turns cold no Apsara to brighten his mornings? But Arun is extremely resourceful, talks to his Boss, cajoles and pleads with him and after some time gets his paper route changed to Adyar, love and a pretty girl can move mountains. The suitor at the bus stop meanwhile, who has no insider knowledge that Arun has, armed with a bouquet as well as a gift waits for the ‘girl of his dreams’ to arrive at the bus stop, all set to propose but the girl has already moved on...Not being as resourceful as Arun, he is left at the bus stop....

Arun on the other hand, now at Adyar, follows his Apsara as usual, not making any move to talk to her at all, not infringing on her space or privacy. For as he says ‘I am but a newspaper delivery person’ and she a college girl, I am just happy to see her, everyday, my day goes better, I am a filled with a glow of happiness.

Such a lovely feeling you will agree....