The premise of the bonding between an elderly don and a poor young man with a heart of gold holds promise. But what could have been a film with finely-etched characters, racy screenplay and appealing portrayals turns humdrum very soon. A regular Tamil moviegoer knows the exact points in a formulaic narration when the lead pair would break into a duet, when it's time for a sentimental solo and the way the line would travel. Strangely, director S. P. Hosimin isn't keen to prove him wrong!
The Bharath-Renuka Menon starrer February 14 marked the director's debut. That was about six years ago. Now after a hiatus, Hosimin is back with Aayiram Vilakku (U).
Today's crowd at the cinemas is in no mood for theatrics. It may not have the patience to watch Satyaraj being moved to tears by the love that the young man, Gopal (Shantnu Bhagyaraj), showers on him, and vice versa. The father-son sentiment in Aayiram Vilakku comes a cropper at many a juncture.
And Hosimin isn't even tight-lipped about the climax. Through dialogue that gives away the denouement even 20 minutes before it occurs, he sees to it that the action-packed finale doesn't mean much.
The thug, Lingam (Satyaraj), whom the entire city fears, decides to adopt a young man and finds Gopal suitable. The move makes Lingam do a turnabout — his behaviour begins to appear senile, well almost! The busy man spends most of his time in the company of Gopal, giving the impression that he's jobless! Yet, seasoned performer that he is, Satyaraj, and ‘Delhi' Ganesh, who plays his friend and guide, transcend the superficiality of the screenplay and make their presence felt.
Shantnu Bhagyaraj is more at home in humour, dance and action. But serious portrayal seems quite an effort. And whether happy, embarrassed or self-conscious, Shantnu has this habit of patting the back of his head with a sheepish grin — nothing wrong, except that he does it once too often. (You noticed it earlier in Kandaen too) Sana Khan's contrived excitement for the most mundane of acts, like lighting a lamp, makes it appear that she is constantly conscious of the camera. Hosimin could have directed her better.
And funnily, the expression on the main actor's face in the close-ups is entirely different in the shots of him along with others in the frame in the very same scene! How could the director miss such gaffes?
Srikanth Deva surprises you with the title music that's soft and a duet (‘Rathiyae') that's melodious!
Aayiram Vilakku has song sequences that are predictable, melodrama that makes you fidgety and characterisations that aren't profound enough to make an impression. Surely this erstwhile assistant of director Shankar could have worked harder.
Aayiram Vilakku
Genre: Sentiment
Director: S. P. Hosimin
Cast: Satyaraj, Shantnu Bhagyaraj, Sana Khan, ‘Delhi' Ganesh
Storyline: An elderly bachelor — an anti-social element — decides to adopt a young man, who he finds out is warm, helpful and straightforward …
Bottomline: A promising line treated ineptly
