PT Sir (2024) – A Bold Take on Sexual Harassment

When I sat down to watch Hip Hop Tamizha‘s PT Sir, my expectations were modest. The film, however, surprised me by tackling the serious issue of sexual harassment that women face in public places and the legal fight for justice in an unexpected manner. Although the movie had many amateurish moments, the innovative climax and Ilavarasu’s outstanding performance earned it a “Ripe” rating from mangoidiots. At the start, I found it difficult to pin down the genre. Hip Hop Tamizha plays Kanagavel, a physical education teacher (PT Sir) at a school owned by Chairman G.P., portrayed by Thiagarajan of “Malaiyoor Mambattiyan” fame. For much of the film, Kanagavel appears childish. The lengthy introduction featuring a sports day cancellation by the college Principal, played by Pandiarajan, initially set a comedic tone that took me a while to shake off and focus on the serious narrative. The horoscope and astrologer scenes felt like unnecessary distractions in establishing the hero’s character. Kashmira Pardeshi‘s role as a modern, bold woman who falls in love with the hero becomes just a backdrop once their marriage is fixed. Kudos to the writers for courageously addressing the community’s often misguided focus on what a sexual harassment victim was wearing. The background score and songs by Hip Hop Tamizha were excellent, adding significant weight to the screenplay. The supporting cast was brilliant, with Devadarshini and Ilavarasu stealing the show. Ilavarasu’s performance, particularly during the court scene with Vinodhini, was outstanding, showcasing his talent. Tamil cinema should utilize him more. Anikha Surendran deserves a special mention for her limited but well-executed role. Though Prabhu and Pattimandram Raja had brief screen time, they left a lasting impression. Unfortunately, K. Bhagyaraj‘s role as a judge was turned into a comedic piece, which didn’t fit well with the film’s tone. Credit goes to the director for limiting the hero’s fight scenes and avoiding a physical confrontation between Hip Hop Tamizha and the villain. In the end, PT Sir’s progressive climax and thoughtful approach to tackling sexual harassment make it a good watch – even if it doesn’t quite hit all the right notes throughout. As I reflect on recent films in this genre, such as Selvaraghavan‘s Bakasuran (2023), PT Sir’s bold take on the subject matter makes it stand out.