Director Shankar's debut production is all about romance with an intelligent mix of nativity (Madurai).
With no established star cast, Kadhal solely relies on its strong script and all credit should go to director Balaji Sakthivel for churning out a movie that is quite unlike the present run-of-the-mill stuffs.
Bharath, ever since his debut in Boys seems to be improving with every successive film. In terms of performance, he seems to have picked up from where he left Chellamae. He fits to a T in the role of a low-class mechanic who falls in love with a upper-class rich girl played by a debutante Sandhya. Especially towards the climax, he has infused grace and charm to his role with his expressions.
A major portion of the film is set in Madurai. Sandhya, a school student falls in love with a mechanic. She persuades him to accept her love. In between, her father, an influential landlord in Madurai arranges for her wedding. Fearing to tell about her love to her parents, Sandhya convinces Barath to elope with her. Both land up at Chennai seeking the help of Bharath's friend living in a mansion. After great difficulties, the two get married and find a house to settle down. Meanwhile, Sandhya's uncle manages to find her in Chennai and convinces the couple that their wedding would be solemnized in Madurai and takes them along with him. Unfortunately, Bharath gets bashed up and Sandhya's parents forcibly marries her off to their relative. After a few years, Sandhya encounters Bharath and is shocked to see him in a sorry state on the road-side.
The rest forms a riveting climax.
If Bharath's performance is finely-honed, newcomer Sandhya is a revelation. Her subtle and natural expressions, modulations and next-door looks deserve a special mention.
Debutant music-composer Joshua Sridhar's score is an asset to the film. Vijay Milton's camera has caught the Madurai city at it best.
Balaji Sakthivel sure knows how to tell a simple story in an attractive sort of way. He has got his basic technique right. Shankar's investment on him looks like that it won't go waste.
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