Vai Raja Vai Review

Although almost everyone is born with equal abilities and skills, some are innately different. Some vary by their interest, and some by their intellect. And there is one more sect that is not only blessed with extraordinary acumen, but are also in the knowhow of when to use the talent, which renders them powerful. Karthik is one such blessed boy, but his inadvertent powers put him in deep trouble. How and why? Here's Aishwarya's own style of the story.

Plot:

Karthik (Gautam Karthik) has a lives a life of all the little dreams coming true - understanding anf supportive parents and sister, loving girlfriend Priya (Priya Anand), good job and a best buddy Satheesh. In addition, he also has extra sensory powers - he can predict the future, in instincts. Though this gives him a hand in having premonitions of exam papers and other trivial matters, he discards his ability in the big picture, for the fear of bad omen. But a couple of such inevitable instincts get him into the vicious rut of cricket betting and gambling. It is the very power, in the wrong hands, that gets him into a game of life or death. Is there an escape?

Performance:

Third time on the big screen, Gautam is at ease. His movements are natural; however, it certainly lacks drama to complete the touch of realism. His worry, confusion, depression and relief all seem not strikingly different from one another. His dance moves could have been choreographed better, to make it seem charming than strained. Priya Anand is the heroine that struts around attired beautifully, but doesn't have an impacting role, except for a scene where she is kidnapped and held hostage. For her role and scope, this pretty lady scores high. Tapsee is a sophisticated woman with a gorgeous, yet brief presence in the movie. Almost at par with Gautam, it is Vivek who has captured our hearts in the film, as Pandu or the stylish 'Panda'. Daniel Balaji is back as the menacing thug, and he convinces you to bits, with his acting. Satheesh gets you in splits, as the friend. Despite very little screen presence, director Vasanth, as Karthik's father, plays a crucial role. And look out for the cameos.

Screenplay, Music and Editing:

On the sunny side, screenplay is taut. At two hours, this movie keeps you glued to your seat and it is one experience, you won't regret. Yuvan's music is on the rocks; his notes impress the best in the minimal yet striking BGM. Though dubbing and lip movements overlap painfully different from one another, overall sound quality is maintained well. VT Vijayan has done a tremendous job at putting these pieces together; if only, the surprise wasn't broken in trailer already, it would have impacted even better.

Plusses:

• No unrealistic fight or street dance sequence
• Thoroughly researched approach to every fine detail in the movie, viz. review meetings in    Karthik's workplace
• Intelligent choice of new professional roles for the heroines - plant pathology and mathematics
• Well humoured comedy
• Cameo dance by SJ Suryah and killer climax with Dhanush

Minuses:

• Love story stands unexplained
• Families that are too good to be true
• To keep track that all incidents happened within a few months, is unrealistic

On the whole, 'Vai Raja Vai' is a clean entertainer with a deep story, narrated simple but an exciting movie, for everyone in the family.

Rating: 3/5 - Fortune turned fatal