There is always something romantic about a love that is denied the rights to flourish, be it “Titanic” or “500 Days of Summer”, the latter inspiring Gautam Vasudev Menon's new offering. VTV hews to the staid Indian movie tradition of a love story with a few twists and hoping the audience will not get that déjà vu feeling. It has true chemistry and some beautiful, subtle moments of tenderness as well as some heart-rending moments of disconnectedness between the two that never comes across as heavy-handed. This see-saw method of bouncing to and fro successfully manages to force the viewer in a physically engaging shared experience of Karthick and Jessy's feelings, which is something the director aspires to elicit from his intended audience.
Storyline
The boy Karthick, a Hindu mechanical engineering student and an aspiring director meets girl Jessy, Malayalee Christian and a B.Sc. graduate working as a software professional. Karthik falls in love with Jessy but she only wants him to be friends but then changes her mind and there begins a relationship. Religion plays spoilsport. And the ending is not quite what you expect it to be and director Gautam deserves praise for that.
The acting by the two leads is wonderful. Silambarasan has been one of my favourite actors and proves yet again why he is one of the most talented actors of his generation. His performance was truly fantastic. He brings out the school boy enthusiasm of ‘love at first sight'. Trisha's all over this one, easily one of her top performances to date. She is sassy and suave and will definitely make you love her. The supporting cast is terrific throughout and very fun to watch. Trisha is absolutely wonderful in her portrayal of Jessy and her eccentric personality. Their chemistry is wondrously compelling to watch and their moments together seem wholly convincing and genuine. Ganesh the cameraman who plays himself in the movie dons the comic part and does it with astounded brilliance.
Away from cliches
Favourite quotes
Trisha: “Nan rendu varsathuku munnadiye B.Sc. mudichiten. Ne intha varsham thana Engineering mudicha. Nan onnavida oru vayasu moothave. So Prachanai illa Appa ketta Ne en Thambi mathiri nu solidraen”. Watch out for Simbu's reaction
Simbhu: “Avan avan kadhalukkaga Amerikave poran. Nan Alappuzha pogamattenna?”
The film is certainly miles above the formulaic nonsense that too often passes for Kollywood romance these days. It jarringly tries to portray a relationship that is more realistic and less clichéd than most others. Rahman's BGM is marvellous. Everyone involved does an amazing job to connect the several elements of love into a satisfying and moving conclusion targeted at mature audiences.
Bottomline: Clever, lovable, laughable and well written script to keep you engaged. Stellar performances from the lead pair. Don't miss it. Two thumbs up!
RAJASELVAN T.,Final Year, EEE , CEG
