Dikkiloona - A fun time travel with Santhanam

'Dikkiloona' has been one of the upcoming films that have been an automatic choice in the watch list of moviegoers  The posters, teaser and trailer promised much with the time travel concept, Santhanam playing triple roles and the presence of most of the favorite comedians of Kollywood.  Does the film meet the expectations it has set remains to be seen.

The story is set in the future in 2027 where Mani (Santhanam) an EB employee's marriage is on the rocks.  When he stumbles onto a time machine in a science lab he decides to travel back and stop his wedding.  The result of that travel gives birth to two more versions of him and what happens next is the fun-filled story of 'Dikkiloona'.

After a long time Santhanam gets a chance to be at his best and that too in three versions and most of the counters he is famous for works.  More than the comedy scenes Santa has also done a neat job in the romance and the emotional scenes.  Anagha as the angry wife is aptly cast and makes a strong impression.  Shirin Kanchanwala plays the other wife in the alternate timeline and she too fits the bill.  Yogi Babu as Einstein is in his elements while Anandaraj, Muniskanth, Chithra Lakshmanan, Sha Ra, Tangadurai and Mottai Rajendran try their best to tickle the funny bones and succeed to a certain extent.  The scene-stealers are Lollu Sabha Maran who plays a nutcase and the veteran Nizhalgal Ravi who appears as the narrator of the story with his baritone voice and the final twist to his character is the most hilarious in the entire film.

What works best in 'Dikkiloona' is the last twenty minutes or so that is packed with hilarious situations.  The love proposal scene involving Santhanam, Shara, Shirin and Thangadurai and Maaran's great escape attempt from the mental asylum bring the house down.  The message that no life is perfect is well conveyed through the time travel concept.

On the downside, most of the comedy till the pre-climax is just smile-worthy considering that there is a novel concept and the best comedians at the disposal of the director.   The triple roles of Santhanam and the confusions they could have caused are not explored to potential.  In fact one should say that the concept has not been milked enough to either move the story forward or the hilarity.

Yuvan Shankar Raja gives a quirky background score to good effect while the remixed version of his father's cult hit song "Kai Vachaalum" is as fresh as it was first heard.  The cinematography, editing, and art direction are spot on, and it's yet another quality product from KJR Studios.   Debutante director Karthik Yogi has come up with a winner for Santhanam utilizing him more as an actor than a comedian and at the same time impressing with his storytelling.

Verdict : Go for this fun-filled time travel