In an Ooty school full of boys high on testosterone, a boy loves a girl. Years later, he falls in love with another. She hears about girl number one and calls off the wedding, stating first love can never be forgotten.
Does puppy love last? That’s the question director Ravilallin tries hard to tackle in Madras Enterprises’ Valentine’s Day release Sillunu Oru Sandhippu . He answers it using the stories of a few couples, including senior citizens (Charuhaasan is wasted), but the film meanders.
As for the actors, you look on in disbelief as Vemal as Ashok and Oviyaa as Geetha (hair streaks, eye shadow and all) play school kids. Later, Vemal is a U.S.-returned boy who has made his money, but the character lacks polish. He looks disinterested through the film, and you wonder where the consummate actor of Pasanga and Kalavani is! Oviyaa is heavily made-up; her character sketch allows for little acting. The only person who shows some spark is Deepa Shah, who plays Charumathi, girl number two.
There’s a whole bunch of supporting actors. If one crass Manobala is not enough, you have two in this film. The dialogues, sprinkled with ‘rape’ and ‘figure’, are an affront. The only things that work are the cinematography (Rajesh Yadav and Aaro), and sometimes, the music (F.S. Faizal). There are half-hearted hugs and liplocks that leave you positively bored. That’s sign enough that this is one meeting you should avoid.
***
Genre: Romance
Director: Ravilallin
Cast: Vemal, Deepa Shah, Oviyaa, Manobala
Storyline: A girl breaks her engagement on hearing about her fiance’s first love. Does puppy love translate into real love?
Bottomline: This meeting is neither cool nor happening