Expectations were high on `Imayamum Sigaramum Irattaisuzhi' as it was director Shankar's production venture and that it brings together on screen for the first time Iyakkunar Sigaram K Balachander and Iyakkunar Imayam Bharathiraja.
But the fact is that debutant Thamira seems to have tried his best to render a lively entertainer which doesn't seem to live up to the hype. The storyline sounds very familiar and the sequence of events lacks finesse or punch. At times it reminds one of a television serial where kids appear in flock and speak loud.
At the same time, due credits should be given to Thamira for taking the guts to weave a story around a group of children. They keep fighting with each other and eventually join hands for a cause is the crux of the story.
More of Mani Ratnam's `Anjali' meeting Pandiraj's `Pasanga', `Imayamum Sigaramum Irattaisuzhi' has Bharathiraja and Balachander in new dimension - donning grease paint and appear all through the film.
The movie unfolds in a village in Thirunelveli. Ramasamy (K Balachander) is an influential man in the village and he is a devoted to the principles of Congress since his childhood. He is against Singaravelan (Bharathiraja), a Communist.
Their feud runs for over four decades. Even their grand children are against each other and they form gangs to express their enmity. However a romance in the family changes the warm atmosphere.
Susheela (Anjali), brought up in Singaravelan's house is a school teacher who is in love with one Murthy (Aari). Understanding their true love, the children forget their enmity and try to bring both families together and get them wedlocked. Did they succeed in their attempts forms the climax.
Bharathiraja is more spontaneous. He lives the character and seems tailor made for the role. Balachander is articulate and delivers right punch. The veteran brings out his experience playing an angry old man. Anjali is adequate while Aari is ok. Karunas as a cop brings laughter. Kudos to the group of young children (including Karunas's son Ken) who play their part well.
Karthik Raja's music is interesting with new sounds. The movie which begins on a predictable note brings out the child from the hearts of two oldies while children behave more like elders with greater maturity. Sadly, cliched sequences and predictable climax mars the flow.
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