Ambuli Review

Call it a visual treat and a unique experience for the audience. Doing away from regular cinema is 'Ambuli', Tamil's first 3D stereophonic film. The characters come close to you. One gets the feeling that the entire story unfolds almost in front of him /her!

With state-of-the-art technology by their side, the director duo of Hari Shankar and Harish Narayanan has managed to make a movie that is almost on par with latest Hollywood technology!

A three-dimensional movie within the commercial parameters of Tamil cinema is difficult, rare and next to impossible, it was believed until now. But here comes 'Ambuli' to bridge the gap.

The story is as old as hill. It is like a folk tale, reminding one of the stories narrated by our grand mothers. But the shrewd director duo has managed to weave an interesting tale of romance in between besides touching upon rationalist ideas to drive away superstitious beliefs.

Ajay (Amudhan) and Srijith (Vendhan) study in a college. Ajay falls in love with Poongavanam (Sanam). He prefers to stay in college hostel even during vacation thanks to special permission from Vendhan's father (Thambi Ramiah), who is the guard.

Poongavanam stays in a village where people dwell in fear of a ghost called Ambuli. There is a belief that whoever crosses through a corn field in the village is killed by Ambuli. One day, Ajay goes through the farm to reach her beloved's house. He comes across the supernatural element.

Coming to know the incident, Vendhan gets anxious and decides to find out what Ambuli all about. During their search, Vendhan and Ajay come across Sengodan (Parthiepan). He stays alone in the forest. What is the secret behind Ambuli and Sengodan? How the friends unravel the mystery forms the climax.

The lesser known faces make the movie count. Especially Ajay and Sreejith give a decent performance. Sanam plays her part well. She brings out right emotions.

Parthiepan plays a cameo that has a bearing on the story. He gets under the skin of the character and performs to his best ability. Gokul of 'Manada Mayilda' fame plays Ambuli and his makeup deserves a mention.

Jagan's role is devoid of humor and that is the most surprising factor. Thambi Ramiah, Bosskey, Kalairani and Karate Raja among others form part of the cast.

Cinematography and stereography by Satheesh G is the backbone of the movie. The sequences are fresh, new and rightly provide the feel of the events happening right next to us. Music is by quartet of Venkatprabhu Shankar, Sams, C S Satheesh and Mervyn Solomon. The background score provides all pep needed for the movie.

To Tamil audience for whom 3D films would mean those from Hollywood, here comes 'Ambuli'. It is no child's tale. It is a well made, brilliantly conceived and neatly executed film that is bound to take Tamil cinema to next level in terms of technology. Let's welcome the change!