In many ways, 36 Vayadhinile is closer in spirit to Gauri Shinde's English Vinglish. Both are feel-good films that mark the comeback of a beloved actress (Sridevi there, Jyotika here). Both the films talk about empowerment, especially of middle-aged women. If Shashi of English Vinglish is a housewife who supports her family by being an entrepreneur (who makes laddoos), Vasanthi (Jyotika) goes to a job to share the financial burden of running a family. Both these characters become an embarrassment of sorts for their teenaged daughters. Both are forced to look inward only when they become truly a...