Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta - Dhanush fires, in this predictable GVM entertainer

After numerous delays and lying in cans for few years, Gautham Vasudev Menon's Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta - his first collaboration with Dhanush has finally hit screens today. With the promos and trailer promising love and action in equal dosage, let's see what the bullet's all about.

The movie begins with Raghu (Dhanush) facing a life threat due to his brother Thiru (Sasikumar) in Mumbai, and rewinds to the flashback where Raghu and Lekha (Megha Akash) an actress are in love. Lekha however faces troubles from her caretaker Senthil Veerasamy who separates them and after years Raghu gets to meet Lekha, only to face deadly situations. Who is Thiru, how is he connected to Senthil Veerasamy, why is Raghu in danger and was he able to escape death is what Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta is all about.

The handsome Dhanush effortlessly carries the movie on his able shoulders, and charms with his expressions in the romantic sequences and equally impresses in the intense emotional moments and the action episodes. Though Megha Akash doesn't get much scope to perform, she's apt as the girl in love who wants to set herself free from the cage she's locked in. Senthil Veerasamy is perfectly cast and impresses with his body language and subtle yet menacing dialogue delivery, as oozes venom throughout. Sasikumar and Sunaina are adequate in their cameos, though they could have been given more screen time. The rest of the cast including Vela Ramamoorthy do not make much impact.

The first half of Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta starts with a suspense, and later breaks into the romance mode with the predictable yet enjoyable love episodes featuring Dhanush and Megha Akash, and moves in a leisurely pace without thrills.

The second half of the movie is where Gautham Vasudev Menon gets into the details of the conflict, and Sasikumar adds some value certainly in his limited screen presence. Filled with action and more action, the predictable backstory behind the chase, the second half excites in parts, ultimately ending in a hurried manner. 

Background score by Darbuka Siva matches the moods the movie transcends, and of his songs, Maruvaarthai and Visiri are undoubtedly the best. Jomon T John and Manoj Paramahamsa's cinematography ensure Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta review is a visually appealing flick, perfectly capturing the action. Editing by Praveen Antony could have been better, as the second half requires trimming.

Director Gautham Vasudev Menon is back three years post the release of Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada with a similar plot of a boy and girl in love and the girl leading him into an unexpected trouble, and here he's made the difference with Sasikumar character. Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta starts off well and the romance unwinds in typical fashion, and is built quite naturally.  Though Sasikumar's mission and his track look forced into what could have been the love story of an actress and a college student, the film has its moments in the second half as well that keeps you engaged. Darbuka Siva and Jomon T John have given their best technical support for the movie, a three year old movie which is powered by the dependable Dhanush, who has a cakewalk as Raghu who connects with the audience, be it in romance or his rise after every fall. It's high time Gautham Menon lessens his style of voiceovers, as beyond a point people are sure to feel monotony and tired. Though completely reminiscent of Achcham Yenbathu Madamaiyada, Enai Nokki Paayum Thotta survives and works despite predictability, thanks to Dhanush, the rich technical aspects and few enjoyable GVM brand romance sequences and terrific action episodes. 

Verdict: Dhanush fires, in this predictable GVM entertainer.