<Pre Script: The comments in bold refer to audience comments, except for the first and last which are the outbursts from my soul>
The time was 9.55 PM when I jumped into Vasu’s Libero. This was a scene familiar with the people in our streets and the old-timers would eyes shut tell you that we were both headed to yet another second show. By 10.00 PM, we reached Archana, an achievement considering the Rangai Gowder Street traffic. The person at the booking counter was happy to see us and took time to enquire about out health and professional well being. As a result, we took our position in the theatre by 10.05 PM just to see Arya manhandle a policeman.
“Putting Archana, me and Vasu together, there has never been a hit. Let us see whether Nanda Periyswami can break the jinx”
The start seemed little shaky and clichéd. It took both of us little time to settle into the story (we even confused Jayvarman as Jaysurya). There seemed to be a good galaxy of actors apart from Arya, Jayvarman, Seenu and Eswarapandi of Chitthi fame, Mouli, Santhanam, Charlie, Sonia Agarwal and here enters Charuhassan. The story opens up to disorder when Charuhassan mentions Mental passive State disorder and recreation.
“Ha!Ha! Once again, Not Again! Kodambakkam is admitted in mental Hospital. Yet another psychological case”
Apart from Thank You scene, nothing seemed to strike an accord with the audience. The portions involving Arya and Sonia seem little less on comparison. Though the pairing was fresh, some sort of maturity seemed to override their chemistry. However the whole audience seemed to be sold over the idea o recreation and eagerly looked forward to a change in their fortunes. At that point of time, the contrived flashback of Arya’s fasting is a step backward. Yet things fall back into place, when Sonia’s state of crisis and suspense is projected. Santhanam’s humour in these places take you through. You cannot stop admiring the camera work of Mahie who makes viewing (atleast) literally a pleasing experience. The third song had arrived, all three being youthful collegiate numbers. None had crearted an impact and it was hard to believe it was Yuvan scoring the music
“Thank You!
Why did you shout Thank You?
Because I am not in love with the movie!”
As we were sipping through a cup of coffee, we could sense the audience awaiting a better second half. The recreation seemed to be a simple subject , both innovative and interesting. The general perception was that the film would do well if Nandha Periyasamy produces a decent second half. Even as I was putting mind over this matter, I was interrupted by a few of my students. As we restrain from talking business and entertainment in public places, they just walked away after Hi! And Bye! And that in between.
“Pangaali, I mean Machi! I have a doubt. They are going to travel 5 years back. But they don’t have a good Time Machine”
“Thank God! You are already in some sort of disorder”
The interval opened up amidst high expectations and people were eagerly awaiting Arya’s reaction to recreation. Expectations were very high in acting, screenplay and dialogues and it would be apt to say that the director did not meet the expectations. The screenplay was promising at times and equally disappointing at times. Similarly Arya, Sonia and team either over acted or were found wanted in acting. The worst department was the dialogues. When Sonia reacts to Hema’s dilemma over love with Cheenu, you first get touched by a dialogue
“We welcome the dialogue writer to the movie. Better late than Never”
In the absence of structured comedy, Arya’s (so justified) ESP to save Sonia and the one of its kind Love Test provided good comic relief. I presume that the editor had gone into disorder while editing as nothing was absorbing in the movie. My mind wavered to Kumudam reviewer’s anguish (after seeing Oru Naal Oru Kanavu) that no one other than Selvaraghavan can capture Sonia wonderfully. Atleast in this issue, Nandha Periyaswamy has done a great job. Sonia was picturesque. Coming back to the film, frustration was booming high for the reason that the climax was not seen (Sonia’s persistence only prolonged the climax, and that Iyer Mappillai)
“Arya! They are cheating you! They have already cheated us! Cheaters”
Yuvan does not disappoint in the second half. The “Kadhal Enbathu” song was a good one and the BGM was groovy. A thunderous applause went up as Arya understands that they are cheating on time and as audience understands that they can no more cheat on climax time. In this stance, the song “Kangal Kalangida” was a silver lining. The expressions, the music, importantly the lyrics, the camera movement all come together to put a saving face for the movie’s climax. I wholly admired the song. But the next minute sentiment takes over
“Why are you crying Arya? We are destined to cry today!”
Finally the much awaited end arrives. In a surprise turn, Sonia expresses her love for Arya and in a equal surprise, Arya rejects the proposal. However Sonia catches Arya redhanded in loving him using the film’s unique love test” There was no one to say Alls well that ends well as people were rushing out of the theatre. About 2 dozen people were napping around.
“Brother Please Wake Up! If you get into passive state disorder, we cannot afford to watch this movie for the sake of recreation. Please say that you are not in Passive State Disorder”
Vasu and me chuckled down the stairs and were in heated debate over the improvisation of the film’s concept. I thought the movie would have fared better if the 5 years gap was widened by 10 years and if Murali was used as the student. I argued that the film should have been more serious and logical. Vasu was of the idea that the film could have been made a full length comedy with a principal suffering from disorder and the students coming together to cure their Principal. His choice was Kamal or Sathyaraj for the role.” Our discussion was interrupted by a violent sound
You drunkard! Why did you slap me?
You have no love for me. I just whispered your name! You didn’t turn back. You failed the love test. You have no love for me!
Crazy Bugger! Even you did not turn up when I slipped into my bathroom three years ago!”
“Arey! That works only for the opposite sex! As if every other thing in the film was logical”
The time was 01.35 AM when we walked out of the tea shop. We were both dazzled by the curse of Archana on us and the consistency of this guy to produce low milk tea in this hour of the day. We reached home and wished each other Good Night! We should have actually wished Better Night . the first half of the night was anywhere between bad and worse.
“Rathnavel, you have a lesson from the movie! As you saw, you cannot be confident just having a new idea. You have to work hard on its implementation as well its not enough to have a duck that hatches golden eggs! You need to sweat it over the hatching process too”