At a time when many a Kollywood hero wants to make the most out of the love for dubbed films in the two Telugu States, Jiiva has a dubbed film this week. The original was released in December 2013 and it must have been all but forgotten in Tamil Nadu. Returning with a romantic-comedy is the charming Jiiva, who is yet to make a mark despite hits like Rangam (Ko).
The original ‘Endrendrum Punnagai’ was a partly emotional roller coaster ride. It is a tale of Gautham (Jiiva), his two friends Sri (Vinay), Baby (Santhanam) and Priya (Trisha). With the former two, he has a deal: that not even one of them should marry. With Priya, he has a loving relationship. There is a third dimension, a dimension which has determined his mindset since childhood: his father, played by Nassar.
In a quirky fate of destiny, Nassar brings up Gautham as a woman-hater, because his wife had dumped Gautham as a child. What is natural is that this Gautham wants to remain a bachelor for the rest of his life. What is cinematic is that he gets his friends to promise him that they will never marry. He, along with his friends, set up an ad agency. But soon problems come up in their lives when Sri and Baby decide to abandon their dearly-held ideology.
Meanwhile, Gautham decides to fly to Europe along with Priya (Trisha, in a long time in Telugu), his new-found interest. But before their love can come to fruition, Gautham has other plans. What is his problem with Priya, his father and the friends? Answers to these questions are awaited in the climax.
The film is a sort of good screenplay, where the loose ends are revealed in the last scenes. Answers to all questions are there, but what is probably a dampener is the element of predictability.
The best part of course is the romantic portions. Madiyea’s cinematography is a big plus, so also Harris Jayaraj’s music. The beautiful locales are elevated as the lead pair look their best part here. Credit goes to the director (Ahmad) who tries to perk up other ordinary scenes.
But visual beauty is no substitute to substantial content. While the film is placid, predictability is thankless. The first half is used to elevate the relations between the characters. The real film starts with the story entering into an anti-climax mode.
It’s always interesting to watch Santhanam for sure. He surely has a place in the Telugu States, where he almost raises the roof like a top comedian.
Trisha is glamorous and also gets some stuff to act. Jiiva surely has a lot of potential, given his looks. May the best films come his way for him to grow bigger in AP and TS.
Technically good, the film is a visual treat in places.
Verdict: An emotional roller-coaster that comes into its own towards the climax. Watch out for how the loose ends are tied up.
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