Azhagu Kutti Chellam - Babies' day out

Azhagu Kutti Chellam 

2016, Tamil

Directed by Charles 

Stars

Ken Karunas...Murugan

Krisha Kurup...Nila

Yazhini...Jenni

Chaanakya...Jayan

Neha Babu...Priya

Suresh...Catholic Priest 

Thambi Ramiah...Orphanage Manager

Vinodhini...Anandi

Karunas...Auto Driver 

Mohan's Measure ⭐⭐⭐⭐

More than perhaps anywhere else on earth, South India has been home to diversity and tolerance.  It is this tolerance that has allowed the Catholic Church to flourish there for centuries, even before the first Pope in Rome. This is probably because, unlike other schools of thought, South Indian culture is an earth-centered one, finding the sacred in things the rest of the world may not take as such.  Most importantly of these is our shared humanity which  expresses itself best in our love for our children

Children are the central focus of this beautiful little film, their shared humanity centered around the fictional Catholic school and orphanage, which provides education to underprivileged children at no cost.  Here a crew of street-smart kids are put in charge of the traditional Christmas telling of the Nativity.  It is the in Nativity going local that the kids seek out an honest-to-gosh, live baby to play the Baby Jesus.

Young Ken and his team of child stars bring joy and family-style comedy to this story, while a series of adult events serve as more than coincidence in bringing meaning to the lives of grownups. 

For, it seems that while they are focusing on a play featuring a baby, the One Who Came as a Baby has His Own Play going on.  While there is certainly a strong Catholic overtone to it, The Bells aren't just for Saint Mary.  Thambi Ramiah constantly seeks to remind us that there is a Tamil God collaborating here too, Who seems out to prove how all souls Eternally Connected, regardless of faith, caste, or economic status.

It's enough to make you stand up and shout, "Hallelujah.....Muruga!"