Movie goers encounter two different experiences after watching a movie. It is either fun or positive/negative influence. I have always belonged to the first category, until recently.
"Irumbu Thirai, " a Tamil Language movie which translates to 'Iron Curtain' had a mesmerizing effect on me that i decided to write a memoir instead of movie review.
The movie, a cyber thriller could not have been released at a more appropriate time as India debates on draft privacy law and the implementation of GDPR has evoked mixed reactions across the globe and more importantly the threats and incidents of cyber hacking, dark web, which dominates news media almost everyday. "Irumbu Thirai" establishes the theme of the plot quite early with cyber heists of bank accounts of common-man, senior police officer and a notorious gang leader. Electronic and mobile shops hushing conversations at low voice sets the tone in the initial scenes of "Irumbu Thirai."
The hero's anger on unresolved NPA's, disciplinary action against him by his army superior resulting in him visiting a psychiatric clinic, constant rift with his father who has the behavior of availing loans from acquaintances and not returning them and more importantly the advise by the psychiatrist to visit his native and reconcile with his family which make his realise he has not been taking care of his family and deciding to conduct his sister's marriage at an exorbitant sum beyond his means seem diversionary tactics, but are deeply etched with the theme.
Since his father and himself are unable to secure loans due to the lack of security, they are lured by a loan agent to forge documents and secure loans. After availing the loan, a significant portion is siphoned by the cyber criminal. While he manages to get hold of another agent the kingpin of the cyber crime gang calls him and plays the audio of intimate conversation between his sister and her fiance. The production team has done well to research and portray the extent to which our lives and privacy are scrutunised in the digital world.
After learning that his sister's phone has been hacked and encouraged by the psychiatrist to pursue the gang of cyber criminals on hearing similar accounts of victims, the hero manages to trace the kingpin and his accomplices, after some struggles. The kingpin always thwarts the hero's movements through social media channels , CCTC camera etc. This resonates well with the discussions of many cyber security conferences where references are often made to the quick technological advancements and shrewdness of cyber criminals, their cartels as compared to cyber warriors.
Though the villain is arrested at the end and the stolen money is recovered, his plan of the next cyber attack through his smart watch is a case in point.
The movie's initial and last sequences has some voice-overs and footage of the cyber crimes of today. The entire team has made a valiant effort in educating the public. As a content manager of the cyber security think tank of India's central bank, i have been living with the jargon and stories of the movie in my job and it is probably a befitting reason to write this memoir.
Note : The views expressed in the article are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.
"Irumbu Thirai, " a Tamil Language movie which translates to 'Iron Curtain' had a mesmerizing effect on me that i decided to write a memoir instead of movie review.
The movie, a cyber thriller could not have been released at a more appropriate time as India debates on draft privacy law and the implementation of GDPR has evoked mixed reactions across the globe and more importantly the threats and incidents of cyber hacking, dark web, which dominates news media almost everyday. "Irumbu Thirai" establishes the theme of the plot quite early with cyber heists of bank accounts of common-man, senior police officer and a notorious gang leader. Electronic and mobile shops hushing conversations at low voice sets the tone in the initial scenes of "Irumbu Thirai."
The hero's anger on unresolved NPA's, disciplinary action against him by his army superior resulting in him visiting a psychiatric clinic, constant rift with his father who has the behavior of availing loans from acquaintances and not returning them and more importantly the advise by the psychiatrist to visit his native and reconcile with his family which make his realise he has not been taking care of his family and deciding to conduct his sister's marriage at an exorbitant sum beyond his means seem diversionary tactics, but are deeply etched with the theme.
Since his father and himself are unable to secure loans due to the lack of security, they are lured by a loan agent to forge documents and secure loans. After availing the loan, a significant portion is siphoned by the cyber criminal. While he manages to get hold of another agent the kingpin of the cyber crime gang calls him and plays the audio of intimate conversation between his sister and her fiance. The production team has done well to research and portray the extent to which our lives and privacy are scrutunised in the digital world.
After learning that his sister's phone has been hacked and encouraged by the psychiatrist to pursue the gang of cyber criminals on hearing similar accounts of victims, the hero manages to trace the kingpin and his accomplices, after some struggles. The kingpin always thwarts the hero's movements through social media channels , CCTC camera etc. This resonates well with the discussions of many cyber security conferences where references are often made to the quick technological advancements and shrewdness of cyber criminals, their cartels as compared to cyber warriors.
Though the villain is arrested at the end and the stolen money is recovered, his plan of the next cyber attack through his smart watch is a case in point.
The movie's initial and last sequences has some voice-overs and footage of the cyber crimes of today. The entire team has made a valiant effort in educating the public. As a content manager of the cyber security think tank of India's central bank, i have been living with the jargon and stories of the movie in my job and it is probably a befitting reason to write this memoir.
Note : The views expressed in the article are my own and do not reflect the views of my employer.
