Naanayam Review

 Tamil cinema had seen family sentiments, murder mystery and romantic potboilers but, a seat-edge crime thriller was sorely missed. Capital Film Works seems to have filled the void with `Nanayam'. Thanks to producer S P B Charan, debutant director Sakthi K Rajan has managed to come out with a film that is fresh and filled with interesting twists.

The story seems to be inspired heavily on British thriller `The Bank Job' released in 2008. The movie was about a group of men, who plan to rob a bank by digging a tunnel from a restaurant which is few meters away. But fresh colour and apt characterisations make `Nanayam' engross attention all through.

More brainy than brawny, this crime thriller works out well. The pace at which the scenes unfold and the good use of technology especially in cinematography and editing make it count. Rich shades used by cameraman Omprakash and sleek editing by K L Praveen and N B Srikanth give the film a sophisticated feel.

In short the movie is about a young man, who becomes a victim of his own circumstance, helping a gang rob a bank. Does he fall prey to plans of the gang or bail himself out from all troubles forms the crux.

Ravi (Prasanna) lands with a job in Trust Bank, Chennai, after he helps its CEO Vishwanath (S P Balasubrahmanyam), whose valuable documents are robbed from him when he is playing golf at a recreation club in Coimbatore.

Ravi aspires to start his own business, but Vishwanath urges him to work for a while in his bank, gather experience and muster finance before venturing to start independent business. Meanwhile Ravi, who is in-charge of security system in the bank, develops a fool-proof method and urges Vishwanath to declare that his bank operations are safest in the world.

Ravi comes across a journalist Nandhini (Ramya). He falls for her instantly after coming to know that she is a divorcee. When they spend a night in a sea shore, Ravi is attacked by a gang. At the end of the fight, he is knocked down by a firm hit on his head with an iron-rod.

Next morning he wakes up to know that the attacker was Nandhini's ex-husband. But when he reaches his house, all troubles start. Fareed (Sibiraj), an outlaw informs Ravi that Nandhini's ex-hubby is killed by him and threatens him with photographs of Ravi bashing him at the beach.

Fareed manages to make Ravi agree for a plan in order to save him from being arrested by the police for committing a murder. He hatches a conspiracy to rob the Trust bank and seeks Ravi's help. When he resists, he kidnaps Nandhini and threatens to end her life.

Ravi eventually agrees to his plans. Few attempts by Ravi to escape from trouble complicate the whole issue. With no other option, he sits down to draw a blue print and head the mission to rob the bank. As events unfold, he gets shocks after shocks. When Ravi sets out to confess the conspiracy to Vishwanath, he gets another rude shock from him.

Prasanna looks cool, suave and trendy. Thanks to costume designer Vasuki Baskar, Prasanna sports rich suits and colourful attires. He shoulders a major burden with ease in the film. An image make-over for the actor indeed, who seems to have utilised the opportunity well.

Giving him good company is Sibiraj. The young actor has ventured to play a baddie in the movie and fits the role well. However at many places he reminds one of his father's (Sathyaraj) who played similar roles in his heydays.

Ramya looks cute and charming. However at places when her character demands more performance, she loses out in the race. S P Balasubrahmanyam does a key role. The rest of the cast includes Jasper, Sundar, Jayanth and Vishwanath.

James Vasanathan, who impressed everyone in his previous films, has had an average outing but for the melodious number `Nan Pogiren.', sung by S P Balasubrahmayam and Chitra. Thaman's brisk background score sets up the momentum.

On the flip side, one wonders why Prasanna develops so much fascination on a girl whom he had met just once. The reasons for their romance are not strongly portrayed. Also the scene where Ramya manages to evade laser lights to open the doors of the safe vault could not be believed.

At the same time, Nanayam is an honest attempt that needs to be appreciated. Sakthi K Rajan has presented an entertainer that is different in colour and content. The movie lives up to its title.

Nanayam - Robs the heart