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Lokesh Kanagaraj, LEO and Symbolism – An extensive film study on the film LEO

We have made an effort to identify the communication techniques utilised in the film, focusing on the factors other than the cliched stories that make this movie so popular. It is a culmination of minuscule artistic adjustments and narrative psychology!

By Meenu Prasad

info@thearabianstories.com

Friday, November 3, 2023

What are tools for communication? 

They are the potent nonverbal visual orators that draw viewers in on a subconscious level – it is something that has been really effective and helped this movie succeed. 

These are the silent symbolism of the film that contributes to the visual appeals and narration.

Like Mani Ratnam does in the majority of his films, Lokesh has inserted mythical symbolisms; nonetheless, he has communicated the relationships through art. Those with a deep familiarity with mythology would recognize the connection before the words do

By now, everyone is aware that Sanjay Dutt, who is also appearing as the Don of south India in Leo, has been cast as Vijay’s father. Now that Lokesh has added components, these two realities are quite clear. 

  • When Antony Das first meets Parthiban at the cafe, he is framed in such a way as to have an artwork of an angel with two white wings and an aura above the head behind him and an artwork of the thorn crown behind Parthi; this is a subtle way of communicating through mythological symbolism that Antony is the Godfather (although the term “godfather” is more commonly used to refer to the “Don”). 
  • In the beginning, when Parthiban tries to grab the hyena, he says, “Hyena is a very social animal, if it is reacting certain way, it could be because of two reasons either because it got lost from its pack or because its whole clan is dead, otherwise there are no reasons for such a violent behaviour.” This is the second obvious connection of Lokesh’s vicious circle.
  • After the resurrection – this indirect way of storytelling that he was a lover of a cigarette that he named it the “Black devil” which has an indirect approach to the crucifixion and resurrection.
  • Hyena inclusion: Since hyena is known as “the devil’s dark deeds” and they chose to make it Parthiban’s pet out of all the animals, this brings in further symbolism. 
  • The opening sequence, in which Vijay or Parthiban is introduced as an animal rescuer devising a game plan to capture the animal, is another example of symbolism that subtly conveys that the entire movie is centred on tricks and games. 

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