It's dark. It's a thriller. And it's been directed by a woman. Anjana's Veppam (A) shows that gender matters little, if you have the skill to narrate bloody sagas convincingly.
Approximately a year ago, Sudha K. Prasad tried slum-centric action with Srikanth and Vishnu, who acted as childhood friends-turned-foes. The film was Drohi . Veppam , which begins with two boys growing up to be the protagonists, bears a few similarities, but changes tack to become a tale of relentless manslaughter, revenge and retribution. Expletives have been muted so often that you can gauge its free flow in the dialogue. But when the film is all about the lower rungs in society where foul language is common, it's inevitable.
It is Karthik Kumar's maiden entry into the action arena. In the wings for a while before Poi Solla Porom and after, the actor gets a plum role this time — a break he should be happy with. Looking much fitter than he did in films such as Yaradi Nee Mohini, he particularly impresses with his naïveté in a couple of scenes. But he can work harder on his footwork.
It's a worthy Tamil debut for Nani, who shows potential to go places. Bindu Madhavi's character isn't profound or poignant enough to evoke sympathy. Veppam should have been Nithya Menen's first Tamil film, but 180 preceded it. That probably explains the fact that she is less ‘weighty' in Veppam . Anyway, a cute find who does her job well. Despite the grime and sweat, and their pigeon-hole like surroundings, Karthik and Nani have an air of classiness about them. And be it Nithya Menen or Bindu Madhavi, none can say that one is uneducated or that the other is a sex worker. The miscasting is obvious. The traditional look of Ammaji, the mafia queen, played by Jennifer, takes you aback. Anjana sure has a penchant for the unusual! For the most part, the story unfolds from the point of view of Muthukumar, who plays Balaji, the elder of the two brothers in the story. A vital role well-etched by Anjana and neatly executed by Muthukumar! Gautam Menon's voice over is an intrusion at certain junctures.
Joshua Sridhar's lilting music is an asset to Veppam . ‘Oru Devadhai,' ‘Mazhai Varum,' ‘Minnala,' ‘Kaatril Eeram' — each takes you on a soothing melodic trip.
The mood of the film is beautifully established by cinematographer Omprakash. The sepias are an example!
Anjana seems to have a weakness for cuts to the past. Like the opening scene where Nithya Menen is shown walking through the waves of the sea, is a visually stunning top angle shot but its relevance as the opening point of the flashback is confusing.
Throughout, Anjana's screenplay that oscillates between the past and present is different all right, but gets repetitive too. Also you don't understand the idea behind one hiding the dope from the other to save their skin! He could have well taken the friend into confidence. And the climax is completely guessable.
That Veppam is a Photon Kathas production should be an initial draw. But sustaining interest in the film is the maker's job — Anjana shows promise.
Veppam
Genre: Thriller
Director: Anjana
Cast: Karthik Kumar, Nani, Nithya Menen, Bindu Madhavi, Muthukumar
Storyline: Two neglected boys detest their evil father, and when he plays a treacherous game with their gullible friend, they become his nemesis.
Bottomline: A bad world laid bare
