After a couple of movies that took people by surprise, if not shocked them, Selvaraghavan had established a foot-hold in the industry. This third movie had been running high on expectactions. Also, people were awaiting to see his work without his younger brother playing hero.

The story is very straightforward like his previous ones. A good-for-nothing boy falls for a girl who is a neighbour, persists despite all odds and finally his life changes completely. The setting is again down-to-earth, a very typical ’’flat colony’’ in Chennai. A few other characters complete the picture -- a loyal friend, an unfriendly father, a stubborn mother and a mean fiancé.

Expectedly, the first half is filled with laughs, switching to more serious stuff later. But all that is naturally blended in the screenplay such that there is no jerk caused to the narration. The situations are straight out of life and the dialogues are simple, bringing in an effortless realism into the movie. Humour is absolutely natural and there are quite a few hilarious scenes.

There are the aberrations like the confusion of time-lines (Varusham 16 and Devdas!) and a couple of ’filmi’ songs. Raunchy dancers turning up just after an impressive casual discussion of sex was definitely disappointing. But one also realises that there is no running-around-the-trees stuff here. The climactic twist isn’t shocking enough. Also, the stunt scenes seem a little too stretched. Overall, the movie itself is a tad long at around 3 hours.

Coming back to the 3-letter word that has been a concern to the older audience, there are dashes of it here and there. But hardly any of it is unnecessary or unrealistic -- some of it seems too kiddish for 20 year-olds though.

Ravikrishna impresses in his first outing, fitting into the boy-next-door mould. His acting is natural and his non-heroic voice is a plus here. Sonia Agarwal is average, failing to cash in on a few opportunities. Vijayan is adequate, though his Malayali accent crops up at places. The short and stout guy (what’s his name?) as the hero’s side-kick is impressive.

Yuvan is rapidly maturing. Songs are pleasant, with a few continuing to linger in the mind. But this score would rate below Thulluvadho Illamai though. Cinematography, art direction, make-up and editing, all support the director very well. AM Ratnam, more used to lavish productions, too seems to have given in.

It takes guts to take a story straight out of life and show it as it is on screen. A few commercial compromises seem to be the only signs of fear in Selvaraghavan’s bold venture(s).

[3.5 stars -- let the brickbats fill up the Comments section!]


Bottom-line: Don’t go in with too much expectation and you’ll be rewarded.

Category: Romance / Drama
Starring: Ravikrishna, Sonia Agarwal
Music: Yuvan Shankar Raja
Direction: Selvaraghavan

Plot Revealed In The Review:	Somewhat revealed
Best to watch with:	Spouse / Partner
Movie Genre:	No Comment
Best part in the movie:	No Comment