During their childhood scenes, Subbu is almost (I’m using the word “almost” here because there are a few exceptions) always on the right and Karthi on the left. As kids, Karthi is the more vulnerable, unsure and less confident/courageous one, while Subbu is assertive, confident and completely protective of him.
But once they grow up, their positions are almost always reversed. Subbu is now on the left and Karthi on the right. And the more you understand their characters, the more beautiful this reversal becomes. Subbu is now struggling with her identity, unsure of herself and still trying to understand who she is, while Karthi has grown into someone assertive, confident and almost cold-hearted towards everyone, while also being protective of Subbu.
But what I found especially beautiful is that in the two adulthood scenes where Karthi has his moments of realisation, redemption and acceptance, their positions switch back to the childhood arrangement, with Karthi on the left and Subbu on the right.
The first is when Karthi decides to save Subbu, and the second is when he goes back to Subbu after finally realising and accepting his own feelings. And in both these moments, Subbu is completely sure of herself and has come to terms with her identity.
It's as if the framing returns to where it began, but the characters have come full circle in completely different ways. As children, Subbu was the one Karthi depended on for courage. As adults, Karthi becomes the one who has to find the courage to accept Subbu, and himself.
I’m not sure of this was intentional and carefully placed, but if it was, it’s sheer brilliance yet again on another level.
PS: Like I said, there are some exceptions to this theory - 2 are very notable. First, the childhood theatre scene where Subbu is the one on the left and Karthi, who’s shy of the kiss scene, is on the right. Another exception is the “Vaaren di” scene where Subbu is once again on the left and Karthi on the right.
ETA: Dear kind stranger, thank you for the award 💜