Ishtam Review

A film that may have succeeded in one language may not be a sure-shot hit in another. However, it is a risk worth taking and what scores of filmmakers do. Newbie director Prem Nizar has chosen to tread that path and has remade 'Yemainidi Ee Vela' (a Telugu hit) into Tamil as 'Ishtam' with Vimal in the lead.

Though faced with a tough task, Prem Nizar has stuck to his guns and made a movie that speaks about modern-day youngsters, their mindset and approach towards relationships, with the necessary tweaks.

His trump card is the fast-rising Vimal and he doesn't let down the director with a neat performance in a rather different role for him.

It is a changed role for Vimal, who is often seen in films based on rural subjects. The 'Pasanga' actor has gone modern here and appears in stylish outfits and donned the role of a city-based youth, who is all out to enjoy the joys of life.

Apparently aimed at the modern generation, the films harps on issues like love, lust, heartbreaks and marriage. Written by prominent Tollywood personality Sampath Nandi, the film does have its strong points especially the dialogues between the lead pair Vimal and Nisha Aggarwal.

Nisha, who is the sister of Kajal Aggarwal, essayed the same role in the original too. And, she does emerge with flying colors. She looks a lot like her sister at times but comparisons can't be avoided. Yet, she fits the bill.

These days any Tamil movie seems to be incomplete without Santhanam. For his part, he steals the limelight in 'Ishtam' too. His one-liners are worth mentioning and tickle the funny bone.

Music is by Thaman and he has come up with a few decent numbers. Shekher Joseph of 'Chandramukhi'-fame cranks the camera.

The story goes like this: Saravanan (Vimal) and Sandhya (Nisha) are two whose love life hasn't gone the way it should. They part ways and keep moving ahead in life.

Thiyagu (Santhanam) is Saravanan's buddy. Quirk of fate brings them together again. All seems to be going well in their second innings and they are about to get married. However, things take a turn here. Does the previous love continue to haunt them, forms the crux of the movie.

Produced by Balaji Real Media, the movie harps on emotions and tries to take a look into the mindset of the present day youth and does a decent fist of it.