Suriya’s hard-hitting film Jai Bhim about caste injustice is a must-watch on Amazon Prime

By A Staff Reporter

CHENNAI Nov 7: Jai Bhim, Tamil-language legal drama film, directed by T. J. Gnanavel and produced by Jyothika and Suriya under 2D Entertainment is turning out to be a hit with viewers and majority media giving it a top review.

Jai Bhim stars Suriya, with Lijomol Jose, K. Manikandan, Rajisha Vijayan, Prakash Raj, Rao Ramesh and others in supporting roles.

Based on a true incident in 1993, which involves a case fought by Justice K.Chandru, it follows Senggeni and Rajakannu, a couple from the Irular tribe.

Rajakannu was arrested by the police, and was later missing from the police station. Senggeni seeks the help of an advocate Chandru to seek justice for her husband. Chandru files a habeas corpus case and he refers Rajan case to continue further to find the truth.

Jai Bhim was released on Amazon Prime Video on 2 November 2021.

The film received positive reviews from critics, who praised the story, performances, emotional weight, direction, and social message. Many commended the acting of the cast, with praise directed towards that of Lijomol Jose and K. Manikandan, particularly that of Lijomol Jose.

Ranjani Krishnakumar of Film Companion wrote, “Jai Bhim is a solid film held together by craftly writing, thoughtful filmmaking, restrained performances and a true incident of the justice system restoring hope.”

NDTV gave the film 3.5 out of 5 writing” The amalgamation of the lead actor’s charisma, the urgency of the theme and the force of the no-holds-barred storytelling results in an immersive and riveting film that calls attention to the plight of an oppressed community languishing on the fringes of society.”

The Hindu wrote “‘Jai Bhim’ is perhaps one of the boldest films to have come out of Tamil cinema. It doesn’t dare turn its back on hitting where it hurts the most, and its politics is not weighed down by the presence of a star like Suriya”

The Indian Express gave the film 4 out of 5 writing “Suriya feels natural and very comfortable in the role of a firebrand advocate. It is as if he’s not just performing the lines written by the director, but he really believes in every word and gesture he delivers in this film.”

“Gnanavel gives us some terrific moments of defiance. Lijomol Jose is quietly powerful as Sengani, who gets a couple of rousing scenes when she turns down efforts at a compromise from cops. Manikandan, too, is effective and stands out in the scene when he urges his men to not give in as that will result in their community being branded as criminals. The director also portrays the intimacy between Sengani and Rajakannu in a charming manner.

Jai Bhim, alternatively spelled Jay Bhim or Jai Bheem is a greeting and slogan used by followers of Bhimrao Ramji Ambedkar, an Indian scholar, social reformer and the chief architect of the Constitution of India. Jai Bhim literally means “journey from darkness to light” or”Victory to Bhim” referring to B. R. Ambedkar. However, its origin is obscure and may date as far back as 1818, well before Ambedkar’s birth.