What was all the pre-release fuss about? A true story, announced director Vadivudaiyaan — but that it irked a few people of the region where it is set, is an enigma. Thambi Vettothi Sundaram (A) is as harmless as any tale of a hopelessly-in-love twosome. And such themes have been beaten to pulp in our films. So basically the premise has nothing pertaining to a particular place.
Expect much violence, the ‘A' tag cautions, and understandably so, because Sundaram does have a prominent sanguineous streak. Karan, the hero, graduated from the fringes to a pivotal slot a few years ago with Kokki , after which he's never had to look back. A bankable actor, he continues to prove his sustainability. It's a powerful performance from him yet again. Anjali's chirpiness isn't spontaneous, but capable performer that she otherwise is she scores in the serious scenes. Post Paruththi Veeran , this is probably the best role that has come Saravanan's way. Naïve smuggler, gullible prankster and loyal friend — the character of Saalai has several incongruities, yet Saravanan pulls it off appreciably. But it's strange that an otherwise sensible man like Sundaram agrees to some of Saalai's inane suggestions!
Saravana Subbiah is another actor who impresses, though the extreme step he takes following his failure to secure a Government job, appears rather immature.
Innumerable characters stomp the screen but it is to the director's credit that no confusion arises. In fact, he has vested each with individuality that even minor characters draw attention.
Sundaram (Karan), a disillusioned young man pushed to a corner, throws away the values education taught him, and turns a criminal. His monetary problems are taken care of but suffering and stress come from other quarters, because he falls in love, of course, with the villain's daughter Lourdes Mary (Anjali).
In the end, the film isn't a success story of any individual. None is questioning the veracity of Vadivudaiyaan's line, but all said and done, the viewer feels better when the protagonist wins. After calling it a real narration, couldn't he have eschewed at least that crude item number?
The place of action is the Tamil Nadu-Kerala border, where the dialect is said to be peculiar. But the uniqueness of the lingo isn't consistently pronounced — the slip is noticeable in all the actors, including Karan. More attention could have gone into the film at the stage of dubbing.
But for the melodious ‘Kolakaara' duet, it's hard to believe that Vidyasagar is behind the score of Sundaram .
Real or fictitious, the story of Sundaram isn't relevant only to the areas showcased — that frustration can lead a jobless youth astray is a universal possibility. Nor is the love story different from what we've seen or heard over the years. So there's nothing new in the life of Sundaram, for it to be showcased as distinct.
