I had no great expectations on this movie ?Manmadhan? and I thought it will be another run-off-mill movie with Simbu doing same old finger gimmicks and delivering amateurish dialogues. But both

the movie and his performance proved me wrong. I would say this is the best movie among the four pongal releases.

Simbu Debuts as an Actor

Simbu who established himself as a mass hero in his previous five masala flicks (all are flops) has rejuvenated himself as a responsible actor in this movie. This movie will shut the mouth of all his critics (mine is already shut). I have never hated a hero as much as Simbu before watching this film. But now I am totally convinced by his performance in this movie.
 
There are a lot of scenes in which he shines by pushing his extraordinary acting skills to the fore. I asked to myself, ?Where this guy kept all these talents hidden for past two years?? In a dual role, he has shown a fine difference between the two characters in looks, mannerisms, body language and dialogue delivery. His will add to the list of one of the best performances of the year.

Simbu as a Screenplay writer / Director

Recently in Kollywood many young directors are turning into actors. But I don?t think it is a tough job compared to an actor turning into a screenplay writer / director. That is why the so called legends in acting in Indian cinema have never tried their hands in direction.

The only exception being Kamal Haasan who is a successful actor turned successful screenplay writer and director. And now Simbu adds to this list. More stunning fact is even Kamal Haasan didn?t take up writing at a very young age as Simbu.

Simbu has successfully woven a gripping and a flawless screenplay for this movie. Though the story is same as the yesteryear classic thriller ?Sigappu Rojakkal?, the screenplay makes all the necessary difference. We have lot of unexpected twists and turn that keeps us glued to the screen and overshadows minor loop holes in the knot.

First half is a commercial package of songs, action, comedy and suspense and second half moves in a serious note but a lengthy flashback drags a bit. But a major twist in the climax overshadows all the flaws. On the whole the movie takes us on a roller coaster ride through the life of ?Manmadhan?.

Dialogues penned by Balakumaran are good enough but doesn?t have any special touch as the movie is more about its visuals than conversations. One punchy line that I could remember is ?Behind every criminal there may also be a woman as like Behind every successful man there is a woman?.

Direction though credits shows a name A.R.Muruhan, it is evident that Simbu has directed the whole movie. As a director, he is good enough and has extracted the best from the cast and his crew.

Other Performances

Slim and trim Jyothika has an extraordinary screen presence and she has done full justice to her role which is similar to that of ?Kushi?. She has improved in dancing too. Santhanam as college friend delivers a refreshing comedy with his timed dialogue delivery. Athul Kulkarni as policeman and Goundamani as hero?s uncle are merely wasted in insignificant roles.
 
Long legged Mandira bedi and Yana gupta are commercial inclusions added to pull the crowds. Sindhu Tholani in a brief role is just okay.

Cinematographer R.D.Rajasekar and Editor Antony is joining hands yet again after successful ?Kaaka Kaaka?. Different camera angles, color patterns, tones combined with flashy editing gives a rich and brisk look to the visuals. Especially the songs are picturised well. Art director?s works in the songs are artistic but in the scenes are artificial.

Yuvan Shankar raja?s music is a big plus for the movie. Though the songs sound average in the audio, it gels with the movie and the picturisations is the savior. Nowadays it is happy to see Yuvan concentrating more on background score like his father.

After a scintillating romantic score in ?7GRBC? he comes up with another completely different sound in the BG score of this movie. But Yuvan has something to improve. He has to correctly spot out the scenes where he should not score music in the background because for some scenes silence is more apt and effective music than anything.

On the whole ?Manmadhan? is definitely a stunner for those who hated Simbu. Hope Simbu will continue doing such movies in future.

Plot Revealed In The Review:	Not revealed
Best to watch with:	Friends
Movie Genre:	No Comment
Best part in the movie:	No Comment