Sathya

Suresh Krissna's 1988 Tamil film follows Sathya, a young man out of work. He cannot bear injustice and strikes back, and that draws a politician's attention. Without realising it, Sathya becomes his instrument. The film is about how anger gets used; the narrative does not enter the shape that exalts its hero and turns the bill on him too at the end. Kamal Haasan leads. The images and cutting were considered harsh in Tamil cinema of the period. The close is merciless. Who it's for: viewers of Tamil crime drama and cinema of the eighties. Who it's not for: viewers expecting a hopeful close; the film does not give one.