Thambikkottai Review

 We have it again. The typical Tamil cinema hero is back to sing, dance, make love and fight a hundred baddies. But this time it is Narein, who is a first timer to this formula which is as old as the sun.

Having said that, we should also say that director Ammu Ramesh, a former associate to `Jayam' Raja', has productively rehashed this `winning formula' into a full-length film, which makes us feel exhausted at few places.

Produced by R K Suresh, the movie with a huge star cast (Poonam Bhajwa, Santhanam, Prabhu, Meena, Sangeetha and `Nan Kadavul' Rajendran among others), is a blend of action, romance, comedy and sentiments.

Alagiri (Narein) is brought up by his sister Shanmugapriya (Meena), a college lecturer, as their parents are no more. Life is a happy journey for Alagiri and his friends till he goes to Thambikottai village on a NSS camp.

Despite his sister's advice not to leave for Thambikottai, Alagiri reaches the village, only to know that the place is controlled by dreaded don Amirthalingam (`Nan Kadavul' Rajendran).

Alagiri, who already has a connection to Thambikottai (which is told in a flashback), decides to put an end to Amirthalingam's menace. In the meantime, he also falls in love with the villain's daughter Kanaka (Poonam Bhajwa).

Initially it was difficult for us to swallow Narein's super man act. As scenes unfold, the actor proves that he is not a wrong selection. Poonam Bhajwa does the typical heroine act while Meena makes a comeback.

Sangeetha, as `Beeda' Pandiamma, reminds us Sornakka of `Dhool'. She plays a woman dhadha who is aware of Indian legal system. Prabhu, Santhanam and `Nan Kadavul' Rajendran play their respective roles well.

D Imman has given what a masala flick requires while the in-charges of other departments have done a decent job. On the whole, the journey to `Thambikottai' is like going to our grandparents' village, that is, pothole filled, still enjoyable.