Vaazhai is an especially disorientating autobiographical film, one that goes from Malgudi Days-style nostalgia to straight-up cruelty porn in the span of a few minutes.

Craft-wise, the film holds its own. Theni Easwar’s cinematography is a highlight, capturing the countryside and banana plantations with an eye for earthy details like animals and insects.

This is not just another Tamil film - it makes you laugh, cry and most importantly, think. This rural drama is based on true events.

In his most personal work to date, and arguably his career-best feature, Mari Selvaraj displays exceptional control over his film language to tell a deeply aching tale of a stolen childhood.